Introduction
First of all, it is necessary to mention, that the poem “On the Road” by Langston Hughes is the narration of the periods of the Great Depression. The protagonist of this play ‑ Sargeant, an African American vagabond, seeks food and shelter. He arrived in Reno, Nevada during the serious snowstorm, however, he does not feel the snowflakes, burning his face. He is too hungry, sleepy, and looking for shelter.
Langston Hughes’s story deals with a commentary on situations befalling African Americans during the Depression Era. This situation appears to be rather difficult, as the position of those who are different from the others (by race, religion, or class). From the feminist point of view, the poem does not touch upon the issues of sexual discrimination during the Great Depression. Originally, the author aimed to explore, what happens, when a weakened person acts only based on his conditions.
The short story reveals the distraction and consequent violent actions of one human’s homeless dilemma on a snowy winter evening. From the feminist point of view, this idea is not worth attention, and the fact, that the desperation may cause the appearance of the additional powers is not essential from the feminist point of view, as the feminist movement was not based on desperation, but only with strong determination.
Discussion
The theme of the poem deals with the conditions that the African American community challenges during the Great Depression. From the feminist criticism point of view, this discrimination of the African American population worsened the situation for the African American women, who were discriminated against for two reasons: they were African American, and they were women. As for the plot, that is aims to reveal the destiny of the African American man, searching for shelter. There was no way to search for shelter, while lots of women suffered from hunger. The character should search not shelter, but all the efforts should be directed for the help of the starving women.
The main character of the poem is the African American man, named Sargeant. The feminist activists would not bear the fact, that only men can achieve success and overcome all the difficulties and challenges that life offers for them. Langston Hughes should not devote the whole poem to the main protagonist. He should also point out, that women are also powerful enough to overcome all the challenges.
Motiff, that made the author write this poem was to show all the challenges, that American citizens (mostly African Americans) challenged during the Great Depression period. The fact is that these matters were described by lots of other poets and novelists, however, few devoted their creations to the challenges of women and the consequences of the feminist movements during the Great Depression Era.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is necessary to mention, that the feminist point of view, that may be applied to this poem can not fit the plot and the theme. As the poem touches upon the issues of the Great Depression, there is no sense in criticizing it from the feminist viewpoint. However, the protagonist is led not only by his hunger but also by his ideas. That would be appreciated by the feminists, who are always firm.