There Was a Party for Langston

An allusion is a reference to an object that exists outside of the text. The illustrations often contain segments of poetry that allude to the poetry of Langston, Maya, or Amiri. When the narrator relates how Langston turned the hate he received into laughter, the words “but freedom stands up and laughs in their faces” are illustrated flowing out of his typewriter and forming the word “HA” (25). While this illustration depicts how Langston made laughter like the word “HA” from his words, the words that form the word “HA” are an allusion to his poem “Freedom (3).”

Langston’s poem describes how “some folks think” that imprisoning and killing Black Americans and burning down their homes and churches will stop the progress of freedom and civil rights, but freedom will always “stand up and laugh in their faces” (Hughes, Langston. “Freedom [3].” National Dance Institute). In other words, freedom will always persevere. In this illustration, Langston’s words literally “stand up,” forming the word often associated with laughter, “HA.” This shows how the text alludes to Langston’s poetry in both content and form.

Figurative language is language that goes beyond literal meaning and dictionary definitions, adding nuance and deeper meaning to words and phrases. The book uses figurative language to explain the significance of the main three poets’ work and how they transform words. For instance, Maya can make the word “woman” feel like the word “mountain,” while Amiri can make the word “Black” feel like the word “red.” These are not meant literally but figuratively.

For example, in her autobiography, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Maya Angelou discusses intersectionality when referring to the struggles of Black women. She writes that Black women face “the tripartite crossfire of masculine prejudice, white illogical hate and Black lack of power” (Angelou, Maya. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. Random House, 2015, p. 268). This emphasizes how Black women face myriad oppressions that other marginalized groups do not. A mountain conjures images of strength, resilience, perseverance, beauty, and power. While she explores the intersectional struggles of Black women in her work with authenticity and strength, Maya makes the word “woman” feel like the word “mountain.” She emphasizes Black female power and brilliance.

This example and other instances of figurative language inform the themes of Learning About Cultural History and Heritage and The Importance of Black Joy to explain how the poets explore complex and sometimes painful histories and topics about being Black in America and then make them into empowering and joyous topics.