The Explanation
The Explanation Langston Hughes’ poem, “Theme for English B”, reflects an exceptionally realistic perspective of minorities throughout the period in which this poem was written, (1949), when freedom and equality was not the same for all Americans. Very few minorities of this era were accepted or permitted admittance into the cream of the crop schools, and many of the professors were elder, white males. The beginning of the poem begins with the words of the professor: “Go home and write -a page tonight. And let that page come out of you— Then, it will be true.”(HUGHES 1106) The period in which this poem was written is a dramatic influence on the perspective of the poet and student. The theme reflects the idea that the “American Dream” is not shared equally amongst Americans. In 1949, many schools were enforcing segregation. Segregation, meaning one school for one race, and another for another race, that was the central conflict that schools of this era encountered. Some African-American students broke the barriers and attended predominately white schools. Those few Black individuals were the first step in achieving the somewhat successful mixture of all races attending schools, no matter how elite. The student in this poem is one of the few who have crossed the barrier between the Y and the college on the hill, between drugs and poverty, rich, education, and between no jobs and a possible future. This student carries a heavier weight than that which he may be aware. He represents the footsteps of the minorities that follow the path he took.