Final answer:
Langston Hughes used his poetry to emphasize the unfulfilled dreams of African Americans, incorporating traditional and jazz-influenced forms in his work as part of the Harlem Renaissance.
Step-by-step explanation:
Langston Hughes's Use of Form in Poetry
Langston Hughes was a seminal figure in the Harlem Renaissance, using his poetry as a platform to highlight the experiences and struggles of African Americans. In his poems, Hughes often employed various literary devices and formats to underscore the unfulfilled dreams of African Americans. His writing not only confronted the realities of racism but also celebrated the resilience and dignity inherent in African American life and culture. Hughes's poetry, characterized by its vivid use of language and incorporation of jazz and blues rhythms, gave voice to the frustrations, joys, and persistent hope that defined the African American experience during a time of intense racial discrimination.
Hughes's work reflects the duality of African American life in the early 20th century, with one foot in the past's struggles and another stepping towards a future filled with aspirations yet to be realized. His mastery of both traditional forms, such as sonnets, and experimental formats, like jazz poetry, facilitated a powerful commentary on the societal barriers holding back African American dreams. Through his poetic expressions, Hughes delivers a message that is both a testimony to cultural persistence and an urgent call for equality and justice.