"Freedom" by Langston Hughes

Freedom will not come

Today, this year

Nor ever

Through compromise and fear.

This stanza is literally telling those seeking freedom that...

• You cannot be afraid to fight for freedom

• Justice cannot be compromised

• You will never have true freedom if you settle for what others think you should have

• No one has real freedom

Freedom will not come

Today, this year

Nor ever

Through compromise and fear.

Who are those seeking freedom that the poem is referring to?

• Poor working-class white Americans

• Poor white immigrants

• Black and minority Americans

• all of the above

In your own words, explain why you agree or disagree with the following lines.

Freedom will not come

Today, this year

Nor ever

Through compromise and fear.

I have as much right

As the other fellow has

Who is the other fellow being referred to in this line?

• A white man

• Any man that is not black

• A rich man

• Someone in a position of authority

I have as much right

As the other fellow has

To stand

On my two feet

And own the land.

What do these lines both symbolize and allude to in American society during the time period of Langston Hughes' life?

• They symbolize the very real desire for independence in the eyes of the law

• They allude to the unjust Jim Crow laws that spanned 100 years from post Civil War until 1968

• They allude to the historical racism that made it extremely difficult for black families to accumulate wealth

• It demonstrates the very strong desire to be viewed as an equal

How do the following lines and poster express the same underlying meaning?

I have as much right

As the other fellow has

To stand

On my two feet

And own the land.

I tire so of hearing people say,

Let things take their course.

Tomorrow is another day.

What exactly is the author tired of hearing people say? Use evidence from the text to support your answer.

• let nature take its course

• don't worry about tomorrow

• Be patient and wait, for our time will come

• All things come in due time

I tire so of hearing people say,

Let things take their course.

Tomorrow is another day.

Why is the author tired of being told to "Wait for freedom"? Use evidence from the text to support your answer.

Both Dr. Martin Luther King and President Barak Obama have spoken of the "Fierce urgency of now". Which stanza(s) from the poem Freedom express similar beliefs to Dr. King and President Obama on the “Fierce urgency of now”?

Dr. King April 4, 1967 Beyond Vietnam speech:

“We are now faced with the fact that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. In this unfolding conundrum of life and history, there “is” such a thing as being too late. This is no time for apathy or complacency. This is a time for vigorous and positive action.” –Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

President Obama speaks at the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington 8/28/13:

“We might not face the same dangers as 1963, but the fierce urgency of now remains. We may never duplicate the swelling crowds and dazzling processions of that day so long ago, no one can match King's brilliance, but the same flames that lit the heart of all who are willing to take a first step for justice, I know that flame remains.” -President Barak Obama

• I have as much right

  As the other fellow has

  To stand

  On my two feet

  And own the land.

• I tire so of hearing people say,

  Let things take their course.

  Tomorrow is another day.

• I do not need my freedom when I’m dead.

  I cannot live on tomorrow’s bread.

• Freedom will not come

  Today, this year

  Nor ever

  Through compromise and fear.

Which figurative language are the following lines an example of?

Freedom

Is a strong seed

• simile

• personification

• metaphor

• hyperbole