The Harlem Renaissance and Its Effect on African American...

The Harlem Renaissance and its Effect on African American Literature Thesis: The literary movement during the Harlem Renaissance was a raging fire that brought about new life for the African American writer; its flame still burns today through the writings of contemporary African American writers. I. The Harlem Renaissance- Its Beginning and Development II. The Major Writers A. Claude McKay B. Jean Toomer C. Countee Cullen D. Langston Hughes E. Zora Neale Hurston III. Major Themes of Writing during the Harlem Renaissance A. The effort to recapture the African American past and African Heritage B. Life in Harlem C. Racism IV. The Harlem Renaissance – The Era Comes to a Close V. The Influence†¦show more content†¦Diversity flourished in the performing arts as well as in music, literature, and art. â€Å"By the time the novels, poetry, and dramas of the Harlem Renaissance were being recognized, African American music had already gained fame worldwide. Jazz and blues provided the background, the spirit, and the style for the achievements of the period’s literary and visual artists† (Howes 81). In every movement there are those who are called front runners or foundation layers. These individuals pave the way for others to follow and so it was with the Halrem Renaissance. â€Å"Contrary to popular belief, the Harlem Renaissance did not emerge out of a literary and cultural wasteland† (Brown pg 9). The writers of the Renaissance dealt with African American life from a African American perspective. The first important writer of the Renaissance was Claude McKay (1889-1948), who was born in Jamaica and came to the United S tates in 1912. McKay is best remembered for his poems treating racial themes. â€Å"His novel Home to Harlem became the first best seller by an African American author and he received the Harmon Foundation’s gold medal for literature (Howes 48). â€Å"Jean Toomer (1894-1967) was the second most important writer of the Renaissance and one of the most gifted in modern American letters† (Whitlow 80). After a visit to Georgia in 1921, Toomer wrote his most masterful work entitled Cane. Cane is Jean Toomers acclaimed exploration of theShow MoreRelatedExploring African American History : The Harlem Renaissance1521 Words   |  7 PagesTi’Anna Smith Period 1 AP World History 12-14-15 Exploring African American History: The Harlem Renaissance The Harlem Renaissance originally known as the New Negro Movement was an important part of African American culture and history, which helped African Americans express themselves and celebrate their heritage. Between the years of 1890-1920 close to two million African Americans traveled from the rural southern states to the northern cities. They traveled to these northern cities in hopesRead MoreThe Harlem Renaissance850 Words   |  4 PagesPeriod 4 Word Count: 693 Harlem Renaissance The Harlem Renaissance was the first period in the history of the United States in which a group of black poets, authors, and essayist seized the opportunity to express themselves. The Great Migration was the movement of six million African Americans from the rural South to the cities of the North during 1916 to 1970. Driven from their homes by unsatisfactory economic opportunities and harsh segregationist laws, many African Americans headed north in searchRead MoreThe Harlem Renaissance : A Literary, Artistic, Cultural And Intellectual Movement1485 Words   |  6 PagesTatiana Moore Mrs. Donald English III 26 March 2014 The Harlem Renaissance The Harlem Renaissance was a literary, artistic, cultural and intellectual movement. The word renaissance means rebirth or revival. African Americans during this time were being pressured by Jim Crow Laws in the South. These laws separated the races tremendously (Roses). African Americans appeared ignorant, poor, and servile. Hate groups and hate crimes alarmed families, and they collectively decided it was time to make aRead MoreThe Harlem Renaissance1317 Words   |  6 Pagesneeded to be stressed was the freedom of African Americans. For so long they were slaves and treated extremely poorly. Eventually, they became free people. However, they were still not viewed as equal. It took many years to move even one step in the right direction. A specific movement did help the African America appear independent and equal. One of the most influential movements and still occurring to this day is the Harlem Renaissance. The Harlem Renaissance is the cultural movement of the 1920’sRe ad MoreThe Harlem Renaissance941 Words   |  4 PagesThe Harlem Renaissance was a cultural movement, in the early 1920’s, that involved vibrancies of new life, ideas, and perceptions. The large migration of African Americans northward, after World War I, allowed people of color the opportunity to collaborate in the New York City neighborhood, known as Harlem. This renaissance allowed the city to thrive on a refined understanding and appreciation of the arts. Many individuals were involved in this movement including doctors, students, shopkeepers,Read MoreClaude Mckay s Harlem Dancer And Ended Around 1929 Essay1535 Words   |  7 PagesThe Harlem Renaissance began in 1918 with the publication of Claude McKay’s â€Å"Harlem Dancer† and ended around 1929. During this period, there was a wave of literary works by, and about, Blacks. The Harlem Renaissance was a period of great intellectual expression as well as introspection (Bodenner). There were several key mo ments and individuals that made this era of time historical. African American artists rejected imitating the ideals of white Americans and championed black artistic expression onRead MoreThe Harlem Renaissance1154 Words   |  5 PagesIV AP 16 November 2015 The Harlem Renaissance The early 1900s was a time marked with tragedy in America. Started and ended with the Great Depression in between, it was not America s finest moment. Prohibition was in place, the Klu Klux Klan was still marching, and the Lost Generation was leaving for Paris. But despite the troubling times, people still found beauty and meaning in the world around them. They still created art and celebrated life. The Harlem Renaissance was an artistic and literaryRead MoreEssay about The Harlem Renaissance1582 Words   |  7 Pages1930’s, the Harlem Renaissance was an important movement for African-Americans all across America. This movement allowed the black culture to be heard and accepted by white citizens. The movement was expressed through art, music, and literature. These things were also the most known, and remembered things of the renaissance. Also this movement, because of some very strong, moving and inspiring people changed political views for African-Americans. Compared to bef ore, The Harlem Renaissance had majorRead MoreThe Negative Impacts of the Harlem Renaissance1169 Words   |  5 Pagesthe idea of the Harlem Renaissance was born. The ideology behind the Harlem Renaissance was to create the image of the New Negro. The image of African-Americans changed from rural, uneducated peasants to urban, sophisticated, cosmopolites. Literature and poetry abounded. Jazz music and the clubs where it was performed at became social hotspots. Harlem was the epitome of the New Negro. However, things werent as sunny as they appeared. Many felt that the Harlem Renaissance itself wasnt soRead MoreThe Harlem Renaissance and Its Effect on the American Dream1541 Words   |  6 PagesThe Harlem Renaissance and its Effect on the American Dream What was the Harlem Renaissance? The Harlem Renaissance was a period of time in American history that emphasized African American culture in the form of music, art, and poetry. The Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s was plagued by poverty and racial inequality. African Americans held the dream of upward mobility and racial equality, through mediums such as poetry and jazz: a new form of music originating from the African American community