“The Negro Speaks of Rivers” by Langston Hughes is a captivating poem in which Hughes explores not only his own past, but also that of the black race. As the rivers deepen with time, so does the soul of the negro; their waters flow eternally, while the black soul suffers. Analyzing the title of the poem gives a dark but proud tone to this poem. The fact that the title does not say "I speak of rivers", but rather "The Negro speaks of rivers" (1) shows that he is not only a Negro, but that he is not a specific Negro , but in his first person comment, he speaks for all Negroes. However, he doesn't just speak for black people. Considering that the allusions to "Mississippi" (9) and "Abe Lincoln" (9) are not only about blacks but also about America, this confirms that Hughes speaks for all African Americans. This poem is a proclamation on the entirety of African American history as it developed and flourished along the rivers that gave life to these people. The diction of “old” (3) proves once again that Hughes is talking about the history and roots of African Americans. The word ancient itself means something decrepit, old and primitive, clearly a word to use when talking about a story and a journey. This word, repeated twice in the passage, emphasizes that there has been a long and difficult wait for black equality. Although they have existed since “ancient” (3) times, for so long, they are still fighting for racial equality. Hughes emphasizes his message consistently throughout this poem, weaving the most important line into the middle and end of the poem. poem. He represents his people. African Americans waited and were mistreated by society, and it deepened and altered their souls over time, just as a river would deepen and alter. Hughes's soul, the collective soul of African Americans, became "deep as rivers" (5). This comparison shows that rivers are part of the body and contribute to this immortality that Hughes desperately seeks to obtain for his people. Rivers are earthly symbols of eternity: deep, constant, mystifying. The rivers are named in a specific order: in the order of their association with black history. By using numerous allusions, the context that Hughes wants to draw attention to is obvious. It begins "when the dawns were young" (6), which refers to a time when black people were used as slaves along the Euphrates River in Western Asia, and ends with the Emancipation Proclamation of "Abe Lincoln" (9) where slaves finally became freed men..