Final answer:
Langston Hughes references the civil right of equal opportunity in his poem, using figurative language and literary devices like repetition and imagery to highlight the experiences of marginalized groups in America. The disparities between the ideal of the American dream and the lived realities of African Americans are a central theme in his work, which stems from his own experiences with racial discrimination.
Step-by-step explanation:
Langston Hughes, a vital figure in the Harlem Renaissance, references the civil right of equal opportunity in his poem "Let America Be America Again." Through his use of figurative language, Hughes expresses his vision for an America that provides freedom and justice to all its people, a dream yet unfulfilled for those facing racial discrimination.
In the poem, Hughes employs various literary devices, such as repetition for emphasis, which mirrors the struggles for civil rights by repeatedly voicing the disappointment felt by marginalized groups. For example, the line "America never was America to me" underscores the discrepancy between the ideal and reality of the American dream, especially for African Americans and other disenfranchised individuals. Imagery and rhetorical questions are also evident, propelling the reader to ponder the state of American society and the experiences of those it has ostracized.
Hughes's biographical context reflects his poetic expressions, revealing how his personal experiences with informal segregation and racial marginalization in the North influenced his writing. The recurring ideas and images in his work aim to shed light on the injustices that contradict the foundational ideals of American democracy, inspiring generations to continue the pursuit of true equality.