Lecture Notes on "Theme for English B" by Langston Hughes

Overview

• Title: Theme for English B
• Author: Langston Hughes
• Source: The Collected Works of Langston Hughes
• Published by: University of Missouri Press (BkMk Press), 2002
• Rights: Reprinted by permission of Harold Ober Associates, Inc.

Poem Summary

• Assignment: The instructor asks students to write a page that comes out of them, implying it should reflect their truth.
• Narrator: A 22-year-old colored student attending college in Harlem.

Key Themes and Concepts

Identity and Experience

• The struggle to define what is "true" at the age of 22.
• The narrator's identity: "colored" and "the only colored student in my class."
• Describes the journey from home to school, emphasizing the geographical and cultural environment of Harlem.
• The narrator’s likes and dislikes highlight common human experiences and preferences, regardless of race.

Racial Identity and Shared Humanity

• The poem explores the concept of identity beyond race.
• Emphasizes that being colored does not mean having different tastes from people of other races.
• Quote: "Being me, it will not be white." - Reflects on racial identity and personal expression.
• Stresses that despite racial differences, there is a shared American experience.

Interconnection and Learning

• The narrator acknowledges the influence of the instructor, who is white, in their life.
• Mutual learning: The narrator learns from the instructor and vice versa.
• Highlights the complexities of racial relationships and interconnectedness despite differences and freedoms.

Noteworthy Lines

• "Sometimes perhaps you don't want to be a part of me. Nor do I often want to be a part of you. But we are, that's true!"
• "As I learn from you, I guess you learn from me, although you're older—and white—and somewhat more free."

Additional Resources

• Related Collections: Poems about Teaching and Teachers
• Article: Visualizing Words and Worlds by Andrew Zornoza

Conclusion

• "Theme for English B" is a deep exploration of personal and racial identity within the context of a broader American experience.
• The poem encourages reflection on how different identities can coexist and learn from each other.

Contact and Further Reading

• For more on this poem and other works by Langston Hughes, visit the Poetry Foundation website.
• Explore more poetry and related content through the links provided in the source document.