The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain

At the time of the writing of the essay, Hughes was in conflict with both the beliefs of middle-class Black people as well as those of a well-to-do White audience. How might Hughes’s argument be received today? How would his points need to change to adapt to present-day American society? Reflect using evidence from the essay as well as modern sources.

At several key places in Hughes’s essay, he makes specific references to other Black artists. Choose one artist to research. What does Hughes say about this artist? Do you agree or disagree? Use evidence from the artist’s artwork and biographical information.

Hughes frames his essay with an anecdote about a Black poet who is ashamed of his Blackness. Structurally, why does Hughes choose to use an anecdote? How does it shape the effectiveness of Hughes’s overall arguments? Explain using evidence from the text.