Final answer:
Both 'The Negro Speaks of Rivers' and 'Theme for English B' by Langston Hughes express a deep appreciation for African-American culture and history, using rivers as metaphors for depth and endurance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The poems 'The Negro Speaks of Rivers' and 'Theme for English B' by Langston Hughes both showcase a profound connection to culture and history rather than just the importance of rivers or family bonds. The line from The Negro Speaks of Rivers, "My soul has grown deep like the rivers," captures the essence of the poems' reflection on the depth and richness of African-American heritage, as well as the long-standing resilience of the African-American spirit.
The rivers in Hughes's poem--the Euphrates, the Congo, the Nile, and the Mississippi--are not only significant geographical landmarks but also metaphors for the timeless strength and enduring legacy of black culture. Hughes's identification of Jesus Christ as a figure relatable to African-Americans challenges the predominantly white representation in Western art and speaks to the experiences of African-Americans in the early twentieth century.