Question

How would you describe Hughes’ tone?
Which rhetorical devices does he use to convey this tone to his reader?

Answer 1

The instructor said,
Go home and write a page tonight.
And let that page come out of you—
Then, it will be true.

I wonder if it's that simple?
I am twenty-two, colored, born in Winston-Salem.
I went to school there, then Durham, then here to
this college on the hill above Harlem.
I am the only colored student in my class.
The steps from the hill lead down into Harlem,
through a park, then I cross St. Nicholas, Eighth Avenue,
Seventh, and I come to the Y, the Harlem Branch Y,
where I take the elevator up to my room, sit down,
and write this page:

It's not easy to know what is true for you or me
at twenty-two, my age. But I guess I'm what I feel
and see and hear, Harlem, I hear you: hear you,
hear me—we two—you, me, talk on this page. (I hear New York, too.)
Me—who? Well, I like to eat, sleep, drink, and be in love.
I like to work, read, learn, and understand life.
I like a pipe for a Christmas present, or records—
Bessie, bop, or Bach. I guess being colored doesn't
make me not like the same things other folks like who
are other races. So will my page be colored that I write?
Being me, it will not be white. But it will be a part of you, instructor.
You are white— yet a part of me, as I am a part of you.
That's American. Sometimes perhaps you don't want
to be a part of me.
Nor do I often want to be a part of you.
But we are, that's true! As I learn from you,
I guess you learn from me— although you're older
—and white— and somewhat more free.

This is my page for English B.

Answer 2

@LadyKatsaTheGraceling can you help me?

Answer 3

Well rhetoric is language designed to have a persuasive or impressive effect on people, but is often regarded in lacking in sincerity or meaningful content. Typically something rhetoric has figures of speech or other composition techniques. I think one of the techniques used in this passage is when he said he hears sees and feels Harlem, when he means he understands. I feel this has a solemn tone of writing

Answer 4

I'd get a few more opinions, but I hope I helped a bit :D