Life is a journey untold. There are many emotions, even some indescribable through words only but through actions. Langston Hughes poems, “Lenox Avenue: Midnight,” “Rent-Party Shout: For a Lady Dancer,” “Dance Africaine,” and “Dream Boogie” are all poems related to death. “Lenox Avenue” gives us the feeling of a sadden heart. “Rent-Party Shout,” has the diction of an angered woman. “Dance Africaine,” is the peacefulness in times of sorrow. “Dream Boogies,” tell us to remember those we have lost. Although, all four poems are based on death, they all have their unique way of expressing this part of life through dictation, tone, and sentiment.
“Lenox Avenue” where “the rhythm of life is a Jazz rhythm” (1-2) makes us believe is a joyful and happy place. Instead we have a change of tone when we come upon, “the broken heart of love, the weary, weary pain” (4-5). This helps us understand that the tone of this poem is depressing. The poet uses words such as “weary” to describe her physical and mental state of mind caused by the lost of a love one. She can no longer accept it; she’s completely drained out from crying. We can begin to think that “the rumbles of the street cars” (9) is the sound of the accident where this loved one has died. “Midnight” is also a reminder of the set mood and it provides us with the time of the day. We also believe it is a rainy night because she hears “the swish of rain” (10). The author does not only describe the weather, but he also helps us picture the scenario of the accident. “Lenox Avenue” was a pleasurable avenue until the night of this car crash. The fact that Hughes uses the phrase, “gods are laughing at us” (14) also tells us it was more than just an accident. There is an evil emotion or action at that lead to this accident. From what we know about gods is that if you did wrong or did not obey they were revengeful, as in early civilizations. Someone caused this accident and now everyone is watching, talking and laughing about...