Today, we examine “Little Old Letter” by Langston Hughes and its 3 Lessons for Scholars. Poetry offers a unique way to reflect on important life lessons, often in a more accessible and thought-provoking way than traditional academic texts. “Little Old Letter” delivers three valuable insights that scholars can learn from. These lessons are:

- A few words can have a big impact.
- People’s words can destroy us.
- Our words can destroy others.
Let’s start by checking out the poem.
Little Old Letter by Langston Hughes
Just a little old letter,
Wasn’t even one page long-
But it made me wish
I was in my grave and gone.
I turned it over,
Not a word writ on the back.
I never felt so lonesome
Since I was born black.
Just a pencil and paper,
You don’t need no gun nor knife-
A little old letter
Can take a person’s life.
1. A Few Words Can Have a Big Impact
The first lesson for scholars in Langston Hughes’ poem is that words, even a small number, can have a profound impact. The narrator’s entire world is turned upside down in the poem by “just a little old letter.” It doesn’t take pages of words to leave an indelible mark on someone’s life. A few carefully chosen words on a single page can have a transformative effect.
As scholars, we must be conscious of the power of the written word. In academic writing, the precision and clarity of our language matter. A single misquoted word, phrase, or concept can alter the entire meaning of an argument or research. We must also be mindful of the weight that our words carry in academic discussions, as they can influence the direction of scholarly thought and discourse. Think of how small phrases like “climate change” or “gender equality” have sparked global movements. The words we choose can shape ideas, change minds, and ignite action.
2. People’s Words Can Destroy Us
The second lesson from Hughes’ poem is that words from others can cause deep harm. The narrator is devastated by the letter she receives, expressing feelings of loneliness and despair so intense she even contemplates death. This illustrates how damaging words can be, even when they are not delivered in a traditional harmful way. Words have the ability to tear down a person’s sense of self-worth and security.
For scholars, criticism, rejection, or harsh feedback can have a similarly destructive impact on our mental and emotional well-being. Academia can sometimes feel like a battleground of ideas, and it’s important to be resilient when faced with critique or negative remarks. However, we should also be cautious about how we deliver feedback to others. A dismissive or overly critical comment can harm a fellow scholar’s confidence and motivation. Understanding the destructive potential of words helps us engage in a more thoughtful and supportive academic community.
3. Our Words Can Destroy Others
Finally, the third lesson is that our words have the power to hurt others. As children, we may have been taught the adage, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me.” However, anyone who has ever been called cruel names knows this isn’t true. Words can, in fact, cause deep emotional pain.
For scholars, our words affect not only our personal relationships but also the reputation and well-being of others in our field. A careless comment in a peer review or an inflammatory statement in a public lecture can damage someone’s career or credibility. We must always strive for constructive criticism and engage in discourse that elevates our field rather than undermines or diminishes others’ work. Our words can either help a colleague grow or cause them harm—our academic environment depends on the language we use.
Final Reflection
Langston Hughes’ “Little Old Letter” offers three important lessons for scholars: the power of words, the potential harm from others’ words, and the responsibility we carry when speaking or writing. Reflecting on how we communicate in academia—whether in research papers, lectures, or casual discussions—can help us foster a more supportive and thoughtful scholarly community.
What lessons did you learn from this poem? How can you apply them in your own scholarly work? Take a moment to reflect on these insights and share your thoughts in the comment section. Your reflections could inspire someone else to rethink their approach to language in academia.
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