“Theme for English B” by Langston Hughes Essay

The poem tells the story of a 22-year-old colored student whom the teacher gave the task to write a page that should come from himself. Then the narrator describes the way to the student’s room, where he will write the work. He notes that he loves the same things as people of other races and believes that truth is based only on what can be sensed. The student says that the teacher is different from him; nevertheless, they are parts of the whole influencing each other. In the line, “I wonder if it’s that simple?” Langston encourages the reader to think about whether it is easy to be honest with yourself and others. The reader already knows that the student is not white, but the “I am the only colored student in my class” shows that the student might be subject to certain racial discrimination. The author explains that the differences between colored and white people are only external. Thus, in the poem, Langston raises the problem of racial inequality. However, America’s population is diverse, and all people influence each other regardless of skin color.