Langston Hughes: a critical bibliography, 1977-1986

The critical scholarship on Langston Hughes between the years 1977 and 1986 is rich with varied interpretations and responses to Hughes's writings. The last three years, especially, reveal a new thrust in scholarly research on this prolific African American writer. Not only do traditional critics and scholars examine the traditional themes of survival, liberation, race, Negritude, and the artistic process, but the impact Hughes had in the Americas and the cultural reception of his writings abroad. A critical analysis of the trends in Hughes scholarship during these nine years reflects an emphasis on (1) movement away from race relation and protest to the African Diaspora, (2) blues and jazz, (3) personal narratives, and (4) the artistic process. Focusing on Hughes's treatment of the African Diaspora, critics assert that this phenomenon enhances understanding between all Black peoples of the world. As an outgrowth of exploring the African Diasporan, scholars have discovered that the influence of blues and jazz are more rooted in ancestral Africa than what was once thought. Regrettably, the personal reflections on Hughes by individuals who knew him provide interesting but not profound insight on Hughes as an artist. Lastly, there is a critical movement by Hughes scholars away from formalistic approaches of analysis toward textual treatments. In addition to attesting to the greatness of Hughes, the research done between 1977 and 1986 reaffirms the enduring quality of Hughes's message and facilitates comprehension of Black consciousness and expression.