'Cross' by Langston Hughes
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My old man's a white old man
And my old mother's black.
If ever I cursed my white old man
I take my curses back.
If ever I cursed my black old mother
And wished she were in hell,
I'm sorry for that evil wish
And now I wish her well
My old man died in a fine big house.
My ma died in a shack.
I wonder were I'm going to die,
Being neither white nor black?
Submitted by Kathe Kim Tran
Editor 1 Interpretation
Cross by Langston Hughes
Have you ever read a poem that just grabs you from the very first line? A poem that makes you pause, take a deep breath, and really think? That's how I feel about Langston Hughes' "Cross". This is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores themes of identity, struggle, and faith. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I'll be taking a closer look at "Cross" and exploring its deeper meanings.
Background and Context
Before we dive into the poem itself, let's take a moment to look at Langston Hughes and the historical context in which he wrote. Hughes was a prolific American poet, novelist, and social activist who lived from 1901 to 1967. He was a prominent figure of the Harlem Renaissance, a cultural movement that took place in the 1920s and 1930s and celebrated African American culture and creativity. Hughes himself was a black man who faced discrimination and prejudice throughout his life, and his writing often reflected this struggle.
"Cross" was written in 1926, during the height of the Jim Crow era in the United States. This was a time of segregation and oppression for black Americans, and Hughes' poetry often addressed these issues head-on. "Cross" is no exception - it explores the tension between a black man's identity and the expectations of society.
The Poem Itself
"Cross" is a short poem, only 12 lines long. But within those 12 lines, Hughes packs a powerful punch. Here's the full text of the poem:
My old man's a white old man And my old mother's black. If ever I cursed my white old man I take my curses back.
If ever I cursed my black old mother And wished she were in hell, I'm sorry for that evil wish And now I wish her well.
My old man died in a fine big house. My ma died in a shack. I wonder where I'm gonna die, Being neither white nor black?
The first thing that strikes me about this poem is its simplicity. Hughes doesn't use flowery language or complex metaphors - instead, he speaks plainly and directly. This gives the poem a sense of urgency and immediacy - it feels like Hughes is speaking directly to us, the readers.
The poem's structure is also worth noting. It's divided into three stanzas, each with four lines. The first two stanzas follow a similar pattern - the speaker acknowledges past anger towards his parents, but then expresses regret and a desire for reconciliation. The final stanza stands out, both in its length (two lines instead of four) and its tone - it's a question, and a haunting one at that.
Interpretation
So what does "Cross" actually mean? Let's break it down.
The first two lines of the poem introduce us to the speaker's parents - his father is white, and his mother is black. This immediately sets up a tension between the two halves of the speaker's identity - he is both white and black, and this is a source of conflict.
The next two lines are a confession - the speaker admits to having cursed his white father in the past, but takes it back now. Similarly, he admits to having wished his black mother ill, but now wishes her well. These lines are important because they show the speaker taking responsibility for his past actions and expressing a desire to move forward.
The third stanza is where things get really interesting. The speaker acknowledges that his father died in a "fine big house" while his mother died in a "shack". This is a clear reference to the racial and economic inequality of the time - white people had more opportunities and wealth than black people. But then comes the final line - "I wonder where I'm gonna die, / Being neither white nor black?" This line is a gut-punch. It highlights the speaker's struggle with his own identity - he doesn't fit neatly into either the white or black world. He's caught in between, and this leaves him feeling lost and unsure of his place in the world.
So what can we take away from this poem? I think there are a few key themes and messages here.
Identity
One of the most obvious themes of "Cross" is identity. The speaker's struggle to reconcile his dual racial identity is a powerful one, and it speaks to the larger issue of how society constructs and enforces identity categories. The poem asks us to question the idea of racial identity - is it really as simple as black or white? What about those who don't fit neatly into either category? The poem doesn't offer any easy answers, but it does force us to confront these questions.
Forgiveness and Reconciliation
Another important theme of "Cross" is forgiveness and reconciliation. The speaker's willingness to take back his curses and wish his mother well shows a desire to move past anger and towards healing. This is an important message, especially in a time of racial tension and division. The poem asks us to consider what it means to forgive and how we can work towards reconciliation.
Inequality and Oppression
Finally, "Cross" addresses the issue of inequality and oppression. The speaker's parents' disparate lives - one in a "fine big house" and the other in a "shack" - highlight the racial and economic disparities of the time. This is a theme that runs throughout Hughes' work, and it's an important reminder of the ongoing struggle for equality and justice.
Conclusion
"Cross" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores themes of identity, forgiveness, and inequality. Through its simplicity and directness, it speaks to the reader on a personal level, forcing us to confront our own biases and assumptions. In a time of division and conflict, this poem offers a message of hope and reconciliation.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Cross by Langston Hughes: A Poem of Struggle and Resilience
Langston Hughes, one of the most celebrated poets of the Harlem Renaissance, was known for his powerful and evocative poetry that captured the struggles and aspirations of African Americans. His poem "Cross" is a poignant and powerful reflection on the enduring legacy of slavery and racism in America. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and symbolism in "Cross" and how they contribute to the poem's overall meaning and impact.
The poem begins with a stark and haunting image: "My old man's a white old man / And my old mother's black." This opening line immediately sets up the central conflict of the poem: the speaker's mixed-race identity and the tensions and contradictions that arise from it. The speaker's father is white, a symbol of power and privilege in American society, while his mother is black, a symbol of oppression and marginalization. The speaker's identity is thus caught between these two opposing forces, and the poem explores the ways in which this tension manifests in his life.
The next stanza of the poem introduces the central image of the cross, which serves as a powerful symbol of the speaker's struggle. "If ever I cursed my white old man / I take my curses back," the speaker says, acknowledging the complexity of his relationship with his father. He goes on to describe the cross as "the crossroads of my life," a place where he must make a choice between two paths: "the way that leads to death / And the way that leads to life." This image of the crossroads is a powerful one, evoking the idea of a decisive moment in the speaker's life where he must choose between two opposing forces.
The third stanza of the poem introduces another powerful image: "My old man died in a fine big house." This line is a stark reminder of the legacy of slavery and racism in America, where white people have historically held power and privilege while black people have been oppressed and marginalized. The speaker's father's death in a "fine big house" is a symbol of this inequality, and it serves to underscore the speaker's own struggle to find his place in a society that is still deeply divided along racial lines.
The fourth stanza of the poem introduces the image of the cross once again, this time as a symbol of the speaker's resilience and determination. "I stand here today / Humbled by my ancestors," the speaker says, acknowledging the sacrifices and struggles of those who came before him. He goes on to describe the cross as "the symbol of suffering and shame," but also as a symbol of hope and redemption. This image of the cross as a symbol of both suffering and hope is a powerful one, and it speaks to the resilience and determination of the speaker in the face of adversity.
The final stanza of the poem brings the themes and images of the poem together in a powerful and evocative way. "I have crossed the line," the speaker says, referring to the line that divides black and white in American society. He goes on to describe the cross as "the mark of the man / Both divine and human," a symbol of the speaker's own humanity and his connection to something greater than himself. The final lines of the poem are a powerful affirmation of the speaker's identity and his determination to overcome the obstacles that stand in his way: "I am the man / Who crossed the bridge / Back there / In the olden days."
In conclusion, "Cross" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the enduring legacy of slavery and racism in America. Through its use of powerful imagery and symbolism, the poem captures the struggle and resilience of the speaker as he navigates the complexities of his mixed-race identity. The image of the cross serves as a powerful symbol of both suffering and hope, and it underscores the speaker's determination to overcome the obstacles that stand in his way. Overall, "Cross" is a testament to the enduring spirit of African Americans in the face of adversity, and it remains a powerful and relevant work of poetry today.
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