Analysis Of Langston Hughes The Trumpet Player

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A Readers Guide to Langston Hughes, "The Trumpet Player"

Title and Author
Langston Hughes is the author of the poem “Trumpet Player” among other poems that weaves in the contemporary ideas relating to racial issues, past memories, and jazz music. Essentially, the themes of his poems are centered on African Americans, and his works made him an important figure during the era of the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920’s (Alexander and Ferris 55). Langston Hughes was born in Joplin, Missouri on February 01, 1902. His first work of poetry was published in the year 1921 (Baird 599). From there on, he wrote numerous works of poetry and plays (Baird 599). The poet died in New York City, New York May 22, 1967 from complication of prostate cancer. “The Trumpet Player” is one of the most known works done by Langston Hughes. The title of the poem introduces and represents an African American man playing the trumpet. The title intertwines the notion of ancestry and the past sufferings of slavery being in memories, but the sound of music always being a comforter from recollections of sorrow and suffering (Alexander and Ferris 67).
Summary
The trumpet player consists of six basic stanzas. The setting of the poem is where the trumpeter plays his instrument on stage narrating his story. The story of the trumpeter …show more content…
The poem fails to follow the rhyme scheme rules while it still presents an artistic expression. The poet has used his own rhyme ‘with the trumpet at his lips’ (2) to shape the poem as he had desired. The poet has applied rhythmic words within the poem only to obtain effects that he considers relevant for the piece. What is plausible evidence from the poem following the features of a free verse poem is the fact that the poet has used natural rhythmic phrases. The poet has deviated from the artificial constraints that are present in normal
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Langston Hughes's 'Trumpet Player'

Movement, Langston Hughes mastered many works espousing the black race. Hughes wrote during a time when the white-dominated society considered the Negro an inferior being (“The Harlem Renaissance”). In the poem “Trumpet Player,” Hughes exemplifies the literary characteristics of metaphors and imagery coupled with a distinctive scansion to assert the theme that the Negro has endured the violence of slavery, a memory which is everlasting; however, he consummates solace through his music. Langston Hughes…

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