In line 2, the speaker describes the “rivers” that he or she has “known” as “older than the flow of human blood in human veins.” In this case, the “blood” serves as a symbol or synecdoche for human beings themselves. In other words, the speaker is saying that the rivers are older than humans as a species.

What does the line mean I’ve known rivers?

Line 1. I’ve known rivers: Our speaker has known rivers. He says so in a way an old man telling stories to his grandchild might comment on people that he’s known in his lifetime: “I’ve known some people.”

What is the speaker message in The Negro Speaks of Rivers?

Meaning. Hughes wrote ‘The Negro Speaks of Rivers’ in order to celebrate the strength of Black heritage and perseverance. his speaker goes through the poem informing the reader that he or she has seen the world along the banks of famous, historically important rivers.

What does each river represent in The Negro Speaks of Rivers?

In this way, our speaker comes to represent a community of individuals, and the rivers become a metaphor for the history, spirit, and wisdom of Africans and African-Americans. Through this metaphor, our speaker documents a history and a heritage.

What does the speaker mean when he writes My soul has grown deep like the rivers?

When the speaker says that his soul is deep like the rivers, he is saying that because of this connection his soul has with the earth, he thrives and can understand it.

What do rivers symbolize in the poem?

In “The Negro Speaks of Rivers”, the river stands as a symbol of endlessness, geographical awareness, and the epitome of the human soul. Hughes uses the literary elements of repetition and simile to paint the river as a symbol of timelessness. This is evident in the first two lines of the poem.

What does I’ve known rivers ancient as the world and older than the flow of human blood in human veins mean?

In stanza one, line two the speakers says “I’ve known rivers ancient as the world and older than the flow of human blood in human veins. I believe the meaning behind the quote is to show the age of the speaker. The speaker reiterates his age in line three with “My soul has grown deep like the rivers”.

Who wrote I’ve known rivers?

Langston Hughes

By Langston Hughes



I’ve known rivers: I’ve known rivers ancient as the world and older than the flow of human blood in human veins. My soul has grown deep like the rivers. I bathed in the Euphrates when dawns were young.

How does the speaker compare himself or herself to rivers in The Negro Speaks of Rivers?

How does the speaker compare himself or herself to rivers in “The Negro Speaks of Rivers”? The speaker is the same age as the rivers of the world. The speaker’s song sounds like the flowing waters of rivers. Both the speaker and rivers are dark and mysterious.