Explain the following quotes: Langston Hughes said: -“The Negro was in vogue.” Novelist Rudolph Fisher said: -“Negro stock is going up, and everyone’s buying.”
The Harlem Renaissance 1920’s- Early 1930’s
The Harlem Renaissance was… The revival or transformation of the African American community. Primarily a literary movement, but did include art, music, theater and politics. The first time publishers took African American literature seriously. A strong expression of racial pride and desire for social and political equality.
Introducing the Renaissance: In the years immediately following WWI, numbers of African Americans migrated to the Industrial North from the economically depressed south. Cities such as Chicago, Washington DC, and New York City were traveled to in hopes of new opportunity both economic and artistic.
During this time African Americans were encouraged to celebrate their heritage and become “The New Negro.” No place exemplified this ideal more than Harlem, which was home to a number of cafes, jazz clubs, literary magazines, and reading venues. The Apollo Theatre was built here in 1926.
AUTHORS: James Weldon Johnson Countee Cullen Paul Laurence Dunbar Claude McKay Langston Hughes became the voices of the movement.
Langston Hughes (1902-1967) The central figure of the HARLEM RENAISSANCE Often referred to as the “unofficial Poet Laureate of the race.” Was considered the voice of Black America in the 1920’s. Possibly the first African American writer to support himself solely by writing.
Langston Hughes: “The Weary Blues” was his first collection of poems (1926). Produced more than 60 books of poetry, prose, plays and nonfiction. Attended Central High School in Cleveland, Ohio www.redhotjazz.com/hughes.html
Langston Hughes: Langston Hughes received a scholarship to Lincoln University, in Pennsylvania, where he received his B.A. degree in 1929. He loved using the rhythms and styles of jazz in his poetry. "I tried to write poems like the songs they sang on Seventh Street...(these songs) had the pulse beat of the peope who keep on going.” -Langston Hughesl
Example: First 8 lines to “The Weary Blues” changing the beats and accents in music to ensure certain aspects stand out Droning a drowsy syncopated tune, Rocking back and forth to a mellow croon, I heard a negro play. Down on Lenox Avenue the other night By the pale dull pallor of an old gas light He did a lazy sway… To the tune o’ those Weary Blues. to hum or sing in a soft, low voice a pale appearance
Langston Hughes: “We younger Negro artists who create now intend to express our individual dark-skinned selves without fear or shame. If white people are pleased, we are glad. If they are not, it doesn’t matter. We know we are beautiful. And ugly, too. If colored people are pleased, we are glad. If they are not, their displeasure doesn’t matter. We will build our temples for tomorrow, strong as we know how, and we will stand on top of the mountain, free within ourselves.”
STORY TIME… RISE ABOVE??? REALLY??? Restaurants 1920-1927 416 blacks lynched in the southern states Restrooms KKK Phone booths Adoption Buses RISE ABOVE??? REALLY???
Still Here I been scarred and battered My hopes the wind done scattered. Snow has friz me, Sun has baked me, Look like between em’ they done Tried to make me Stop laughin’, stop lovin’, stop livin’-- But I don’t care! I’m still here! Langston Hughes How does Hughes’ diction (word choice) shape your interpretation of the poem? Why does Hughes mention both sun and snow? How is that geographically significant? Figuratively significant? What does he want the reader to know? Why?
Suicide’s Note The calm, Cool Face of the river Asked me for a kiss. Langston Hughes What is this poem about? How is it different from others of its kind? What creates this impression?
STORY TIME II...
DREAMS Hold fast to dreams For if dreams die Life is a broken-winged bird That cannot fly For when dreams go Life is a barren field Frozen with snow What is Hughes’ message here? What is the significance of the 2nd line of each stanza? “For IF dreams die…” “For WHEN dreams go…” What does “barren” mean in the 2nd stanza?
ANAPHORA: the repetition of a word or phrase in a piece of literature
Po’ Boy Blues What is the anaphora? This poem has literal and figurative meaning…what is it? When I was home de Sunshine seemed like gold. Since I come up north de Whole damn world’s turned cold.
Dream Deferred What is the meaning of “defer”? What words help create an image in the reader’s mind? Why? Why is the poem written this way? How is it different? What is the message? What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up Like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore- And then run? Does it stink like rotten meat? Or crust and sugar over- Like a syrupy sweet? Maybe it just sags Like a heavy load Or does it explode? Langston Hughes
As I Grew Older No longer the light of my dream before me, Above me. Only the thick wall. Only the shadow. My hand! My dark hands! Break through the wall! Find my dream! Help me to shatter this darkness, To smash this night, To break this shadow Into a thousand lights of sun, Into a thousand whirling dreams Of sun! -Langston Hughes It was a long time ago I have almost forgotten my dream. But it was there then, In front of me Bright like a sun- My Dream. And then the wall rose, Rose slowly, Slowly, Between me and my dream. Rose until it touched the sky- The wall. Shadow. I am black. I lie down in the shadow.