1. Character Development: Hughes uses direct telling to provide information about the characters' backgrounds, motivations, and struggles. This helps the reader understand their actions and decision-making processes. For example, he tells the reader that the protagonist, Joe Louis, faced numerous obstacles and prejudices as a Black athlete.
2. Scene Setting: Hughes uses telling to set the stage and create a vivid atmosphere for the events that unfold in the story. By describing the setting in detail, he immerses the reader in Joe Louis's world and allows them to experience the environment in which the story unfolds.
3. Contextual Information: Telling allows Hughes to provide essential context for the events and actions in the story. This includes historical information, cultural norms, and societal challenges that Joe Louis encountered during his journey as a boxer and activist.
4. Emotional Impact: Hughes uses telling to convey the internal thoughts, emotions, and conflicts experienced by the characters. By sharing their innermost struggles and triumphs directly with the reader, he enhances the emotional impact and creates a stronger connection between the audience and the characters.
5. Narrative Pacing: Hughes effectively balances telling and showing to pace the story and regulate the flow of information. Telling allows him to convey plot points and character information efficiently, while showing allows him to delve into specific moments with greater detail and intensity.
By blending telling and showing, Hughes Langston creates a dynamic and engaging narrative that provides a comprehensive understanding of the story and its characters. He uses telling to efficiently communicate important information and set the context, while showing allows readers to experience the events firsthand and connect more deeply with the characters' journeys.