Personal hardships significantly shaped Langston Hughes' literary career. Growing up in a racially segregated society, Hughes faced poverty, displacement, and the pressures of being an African American artist. His experiences, including witnessing racial injustice and inequality, inspired his commitment to social activism through poetry and storytelling. Attending the Harlem Renaissance provided him with a platform to express the rich cultural heritage of Black America. Hughes' writings often reflect the pains and joys of the African American experience, making powerful statements on identity, resilience, and the quest for equality, establishing him as a seminal figure in American literature.