In order to further understand this poem we must further delve into the life of Mr. Hughes and his views on the world that surrounded him. Hughes drew upon many aspects of his own life when he wrote his pieces. His own relationship with his father may have actually been a huge inspiration for the poem itself. In a brief biography I found on the website redhotjazz.com, I learned that, “His father didn’t think he [Langston] would be able to make a living as a writer” (Jackson). The outer premise of the poem is to keep perusing your dreams no matter what they go through. It does not get much harder to keep your eye on the prize when your own father says that what your doing is a waste of time. In other online biography on Hughes found on the website, notablebiographies.com, I learned that many of the works he submitted, “were all rejected” when he first started out writing (Notable Biographies). Hughes dealt with oppression and negativity from very early in his life and this is obviously a huge reason why he wrote this poem. He found much success later on in his career due to his perseverance and he never lost sight of his goals and his dream, which is what he tries to portray in this poem. Hughes also was very proud of his race and did not let racial prejudice and inequality in America hinder his dream to write. Hughes was a strong believer in equality and did not think that people should change due to social constraints. “Harlem” serves as a letter telling people not to give up. He himself serves as an example of someone who can overcome racial and social restraints to become successful. Hughes tells readers that if he can make it, well, and then so can they. Now that we have discussed the writer of the poem we must also examine his other works that could have influenced or have been influenced by this poem.
Hughes has the same feelings that are expressed in this work as another piece that he wrote entitled, “Mulatto” which was written in the 1930’s. In this poem Hughes does not pull any punches. He emphasizes a lot of African-American stereotypes and also speaks as stereotypical, uneducated, black man would. This drew a lot of negative feedback upon Hughes as many of his peers saw this as a mockery of his own race, which after further analyses is not the case at all. In the very first line he declares, “I am your son white man” (Hughes, pp. 1)! This starts off the poem in a tone that is not only sarcastic but also angry. Hughes is portraying the ignorant black man to point out the injustices and the prejudice that the African-American race has to go through. Using irony he states that white people think that black people owe them for bringing them into civilization and civilizing them. He uses the ignorant thought that the civilized, mildly educated black man is a product of the white man and that they should be thankful. While playing the ignorant black man Hughes also at the same time shows his separation from such stereotypes and that he can persevere through tough racism. In one stanza he says “niggers aint my brother” (Hughes, pp. 28) this refers to his separation from racism. Fellow African Americans may be his brothers but he will never claim association with a “nigger”. He separates himself from hate and prejudice, which is also what he wants the reader to do in “Harlem”. There is nothing beyond your reach even if you are born a different color.