Poem Analysis - Wake

A Defiant Celebration of Life

Langston Hughes’s “Wake” is a short, powerful poem that confronts death with a surprising sense of defiance and even joy. The poem's tone is not one of sorrow, but of vibrant assertion. The speaker, facing their own demise, instructs their mourners to celebrate rather than grieve, creating a stark contrast to traditional mourning. This unexpected request shifts the focus from the sadness of loss to a celebration of a life lived, refusing to let death have the final word.

Harlem Renaissance Roots

Langston Hughes was a leading figure of the Harlem Renaissance, a period of flourishing African American art and culture in the 1920s and 1930s. His work often reflected the experiences, struggles, and joys of Black Americans. Hughes frequently used blues and jazz rhythms and vernacular language in his poetry to authentically capture the spirit of his community. “Wake” embodies this spirit through its informal diction and its implicit rejection of the dominant culture's mournful approach to death, suggesting a cultural preference for celebrating life.

Rejection of Death's Dominion

One of the central themes in "Wake" is the rejection of death's power to define existence. The speaker directly challenges the conventional response to death, instructing mourners not to wallow in sadness. This defiance is evident in the lines, "Cause there ain't no sense / In my bein' dead." The speaker implies that life holds meaning, and death cannot erase or diminish that meaning. By refusing to allow death to dictate the mood of the wake, the speaker reclaims agency and celebrates the value of life.

The Symbolism of Red

The poem's most striking image is the instruction for mourners to "mourn in red." Red is a powerful symbol with multiple layers of meaning. It can represent passion, love, anger, and vitality – all emotions that stand in stark contrast to the somber colors typically associated with mourning. The use of red, rather than black or other subdued colors, symbolizes a celebration of life and a refusal to succumb to the darkness of death. It's a vibrant, energetic color that injects life into a scene traditionally associated with sorrow. Could this also be a call for anger at the injustice of death, or a demand for recognition of a life lived passionately?

Finding Joy in Farewell

Ultimately, "Wake" is a concise yet powerful statement about life, death, and the enduring human spirit. The poem encourages a shift in perspective, urging us to celebrate life even in the face of death. By embracing vibrant imagery and a defiant tone, Hughes presents a unique vision of mourning that emphasizes joy and remembrance over sorrow and despair. The poem’s briefness amplifies its impact, leaving the reader with a lingering sense of hope and a call to live life fully, refusing to let the inevitability of death diminish its significance.