Resource: Symbolism in "The Negro Speaks of Rivers"
Media Type:
QuickTime Video
Length: 0m 58s
Size: 2.5 MB
This segment from A Walk Through Harlem presents the poem, "The Negro Speaks of Rivers,” written by Langston Hughes in 1922 when he was eighteen years old. Born in Joplin, Missouri, Hughes traveled to New York City by the 1920s to become a part of an exciting arts and culture movement called the Harlem Renaissance. He later became known as the "poet laureate of Harlem." Hughes was one of the first African American writers who wrote about the authentic experiences of his people reflecting their pain, suffering, humor, creativity, and joy. He often was inspired by music and incorporated it into his poetry. Hughes made substantial artistic contributions to the Harlem Renaissance and holds an important place in American literature.
Loading reviews...Teachers' Domain, Symbolism in "The Negro Speaks of Rivers", published August 26, 2008, retrieved on ,
http://www.teachersdomain.org/resource/vtl07.la.ws.process.rivers/
- Frame and Focus
- Follow Up
- Connections
- Standards
Print Frame and FocusThe following Frame, Focus and Follow-up suggestions are best suited for middle school students using this video in an English language arts or social studies lesson. Be sure to modify the questions to meet your students' instructional needs.
What is Frame, Focus and Follow-up?
Frame (ELA) What is symbolism? What are metaphors and similes? Why does a poet sometimes use these devices in poetry?
Focus (ELA) Listen to the reading of “The Negro Speaks of Rivers.” Listen for and list examples of symbolism, metaphors and similes.
Frame (SS) "The Negro Speak of Rivers" is a poem most closely associated with the Harlem Renaissance. What do you know about the Harlem Renaissance? Why is Langston Hughes considered an important American poet?
Focus (SS) In the poem, Hughes speaks of four rivers. Name the rivers and where they are located in the world. Can you attach any meaning to the geographical location of the rivers and how they are mentioned in the poem?
We assign reference terms to each statement within a standards document and to each media resource, and correlations are based upon matches of these terms for a given grade band. If a particular standards document of interest to you is not displayed yet, it most likely has not yet been processed by ASN or by Teachers' Domain. We will be adding social studies and arts correlations over the coming year, and also will be increasing the specificity of alignment.
Source: A Walk Through Harlem
Resource Produced by:
Collection Developed by:
Collection Funded by:
Funding for the VITAL/Ready to Teach collection was secured through the United States Department of Education under the Ready to Teach Program.