Youth & The Lost Generation Sinclair Lewis F. Scott Fitzgerald

New group of writers : Lost Generation Young Adults responsible for new Fads (Flagpole Sitting & Marathon Dancing) New group of writers : Lost Generation Rejected the desire for material wealth Group of writers believed American had become overly materialistic and lacked in spirituality Sinclair Lewis: (Main Street & Babbitt) ridiculed the narrowness and hypocrisy of American Life Novels were innovative for giving strong characterizations of modern working women. First American author to be awarded the Noble Prize for Literature (1930) F. Scott Fitzgerald: (The Jazz Age & The Great Gatsby) Gatsby is the story of an immensely rich, but mysterious and unhappy self-made man. Hints that the search for purely material success often leads to tragedy

The Harlem Renaissance Jazz Poets & Writers Langston Hughes Countee Cullen Zora Neale Hurston

1920s often referred to as Jazz Age – reflects great importance of the newly formed African-American Music General awakening of African-American culture during this time period is known as the Harlem Renaissance Begun with rising middle class African-Americans – more than just about music Art : Dance, Visual Arts, Literature, Poetry Era when African-Americans felt as though they had been liberated Unprecedented level of optimism, a pride in all things black, and a confidence in their own future – one that was beyond African-American communities

Langston Hughes: Recognized as one of America’s best poets Langston Hughes: Recognized as one of America’s best poets. Born in Mississippi, he was drawn to Harlem like other African- American artists and writers. Drew on his personal experiences in writing about what it was like to be an African American growing up in America. One of the most popular writers of the Harlem Renaissance. Writings also expressed the new mood of rugged determination to overcome racial prejudice Alain Locke: Expressed pride in heritage while attacking racism. Zora Neale Hurston: one of the first successful African-American women writers Countee Cullen: Leading Poet who won more major literary prizes than any other African-American writer of the 1920s

A Dream Deferred Langston Hughes 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