"Theme for English 1."

In Langston Hughes’ poem, “Theme for English B,” Mr. Hughes describes the journey he takes from his college in Harlem to the Y where he writes his poem and the paper he has been assigned. He says that he is what he sees; that he is the place he is in. He tells the reader what he likes getting for Christmas, and how he is different and the same as his instructor because and in spite of his being colored and the instructor being white.

Not only does Mr. Hughes state that he is a part of Harlem and much it is a part of him, but that he is a part of his instructor, and the instructor is a part of him. Mr. Hughes was instructed to write a page that would come out of him, and that then it would be true. “Theme for English B” first explores the relationship Langston Hughes has with the place he lives, and then with the man teaching him. “But we are, that’s true!” he says; that he and his teacher are a part of each other. Whether either of them wishes it or not, their common pursuit joins them together as they learn from each other. The truth that Mr. Hughes comes upon while writing his narrative is that though he and the teacher may be as different as people may be, the element that makes them each unique and yet the same is their identity as Americans.

“Harlem, I hear you.” Mr. Hughes cries out. He knows and feels that where he is directly affects who he is and what he writes. His piece is not just his own feelings and ideas, but those of Harlem, of the street, of the Harlem Branch Y where is himself and yet all that is around him. He links himself inexpressibly to his surroundings, to the point that the things he likes are incidental and not integrally a part of who he is. I too, Mr. Hughes, am where I am. I like to write openly, but sometimes do not have anything to say. Today I have a lot to say, but not about myself. Today I have a lot to say about you, Mr. Hughes. Does that make you a part of my life? Does that make me a part of yours?