Written by: Jonnette Hay-Rivenbark

1. Written by: Jonnette Hay-Rivenbark

2. Overview • Occurred in New York City, 1920s–1930s • First known as “The New Negro Movement” • New appreciation of folk roots and culture • High point of African American works

3. Movement Video Single click screen to view video

4. New Identity • A time for African Americans to create new identity • African American “Great Migration” • Many settle in Harlem • New African American middle class <<<< Single click the speaker icon or audio words to hear the clip

5. Themes • The writings, artwork, and music of the Harlem Renaissance focus on: • Alienation • Living on the outskirts of white society • Use of folk material • Use of blues tradition • Works unaccepted by elite audience

6. Significant Authors • W.E.B. DuBois • Claude McKay • Countee Cullen • Langston Hughes • Zora Neale Hurston • Rudolph Fisher • James Weldon Johnson • Jean Toomer

7. Significant Authors Video Single click screen to view video

8. James Weldon Johnson 1871–1938 • Born in Jacksonville, Florida • Graduated from Atlanta University • Self-taught: passed bar exam • Returned to former school to become principal • First African American to pass Florida Bar

9. Johnson:Daily American 1895 • Founded the Daily American newspaper • Failed after one year due to financial troubles • Noticed by Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois • Opened door to other opportunities for African Americans

10. Johnson: Brother • Brother studied at New England Conservatory of Music • Brother’s music and James’ lyrics brought them to New York • Composed Broadway musicals and what would become the Negro National Anthem

11. Works of Johnson • Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man, work of fiction • Only novel completed • Focused on struggle for identity in society • Spurred the creation of autobiography

12. Works of Johnson • Excerpt from Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man “I know that in writing the following pages I am divulging the great secret of my life, the secret which for some years I have guarded far more carefully than any of my earthly possessions; and it is a curious study to me to analyze the motives which prompt me to do it…I know that I am playing with fire…” Single click the speaker icon or audio words to hear the clip >>>>

13. Works of Johnson • Along This Way (1933) • True autobiographical work • Considered a classic American autobiography • Has been in print since its first publication • Negro Americans, What Now? (1934) • Non-fiction • Social criticism • Writes in defense of finding one’s “inner-life” • Promotes racial advancement

14. Claude McKay 1889–1948 • Born in Jamaica • Attended Tuskegee Institute and Kansas State Agricultural College • Shocked by racism in Charleston, SC • Noticed public facilitiesunavailable to black people

15. McKay: Career • Worked as waiter on railways • Met Eastmans; they produced The Liberator • Poetry published in journal for black writers,The Liberator • Eventually became co–executive editor

16. McKay: Influences • Influenced by the works of W.E.B. DuBois • Most famous work dismissed by DuBois • Felt it gave whites more reasons to look down on blacks • Thought book showed blacks not moving beyond stereotypes

17. Works of McKay • “If We Must Die” (1919) • Poem published in The Liberator • Written after white assaults on blacks • Encouraged blacks to fight back

18. Works of McKay • Home to Harlem (1928) • First Harlem Renaissance best-seller • Depicted life on streets of Harlem • Earned the Harmon Gold Award • Criticized by DuBois

19. Zora Neale Hurston c. 1891–1960 • Novelist, folklorist, anthropologist • Grew up in Eatonville, Florida • First incorporated black community in America • Father was the mayor • Writings glorified it as utopia for blacks

20. Hurston • Associate’s degree from Howard University • BA in anthropology from Barnard College • Authority on black culture during the Harlem Renaissance • Traveling the South gathering folktales • Preserving the past and being proud of her history

21. Hurston: Literary Works • Literary works did not include racism • Criticized: focused on black history, not future; used dialect in dialogue

22. Works of Hurston • Jonah’s Gourd Vine (1934) • First published novel • Received with critical success Ned raked his stubbly fingers through his grisly beard in silent hostility. He spat in the fire and tamped his pipe. ‘Dey say spare de rod and spile de child, and Gawd knows Ah ain’t gwine tuh spile nair one uh dese.’ From Jonah’s Gourd Vine Single click the speaker icon or audio words to hear the clip >>>>

23. Works of Hurston • Their Eyes Were Watching God (1937) • Considered her greatest novel • Set in Florida towns and cities • Main character on road of self-discovery • “There are years that ask questions and years that answer. Janie had no chance to know things, so she had to ask.” From Their Eyes Were Watching God

24. Jean Toomer 1894–1967 • Born Nathan Pinchback Toomer in Washington, D.C. • Father a planter; mother the daughter of the first African American governor of Louisiana • Father left them • Lived with mother atmaternal grandparents’ home

25. Toomer: American • Grandfather renamed him “Eugene” • As writer, Toomer shortened it to “Jean” • Attended both all-black schools and all-white schools • Denounced any specific race

26. Toomer: Academics • Went to several colleges, but obtained no degree: • University of Wisconsin • Massachusetts College of Agriculture • American College of Physical Education • University of Chicago • City College of New York • New York University

27. Toomer: Georgia • Moved to Georgia • Served as principal of Sparta Agricultural and Industrial Institute • Experienced the racism of the South • Self-education included classic writers

28. Toomer: Self • Searched for self-discovery and development • Search included the study and practice of: • Philosophy • Idealism • Symbolism • Quakerism

29. Toomer: Marriage • Interracial marriages caused negative publicity; not accepted by society • Could pass for white

30. Works by Toomer • Cane (1923) • Lyrical novel; collection of poems and stories • Credited as starting the Harlem Renaissance • Considered “black masterpiece” and work of the “Lost Generation” “Her skin is like dusk on the eastern horizon O cant you see it, O cant you see it, Her skin is like dusk on the eastern horizon …When the sun goes down.” From “Karintha,” first section of Cane

31. Langston Hughes 1902–1967 • Born James Langston Hughes in Joplin, Missouri • Most successful of Harlem Renaissance writers • Began writing poetry in eighth grade • Accepted to Columbia University

32. Hughes • First published poem most famous • Other writings published in The Crisis and Opportunity • Earned scholarship and bachelor’s degree from Lincoln University

33. Hughes: Belief • Writings laid the groundwork for others • Writings explored Black experience and identity

34. Works of Hughes The Negro Speaks of Rivers “I've known rivers: I've known rivers ancient as the world and older than the flow of human blood in human veins. My soul has grown deep like the rivers. I bathed in the Euphrates when dawns were young. I built my hut near the Congo and it lulled me to sleep. I looked upon the Nile and raised the pyramids above it. I heard the singing of the Mississippi when Abe Lincoln went down to New Orleans, and I’ve seen its muddy bosom turn all golden in the sunset. I've known rivers: Ancient, dusky rivers. My soul has grown deep like the rivers.”

35. “The Negro Speaks of Rivers” Video Single click screen to view video

36. Works of Hughes • The Ways of White Folks (1934) • Collection of short stories, including “Cora, Unashamed” • “Cora was humble and shameless before the fact of the child. There were no Negroes in Melton to gossip, and she didn't care what the white people said. They were in another world. Of course, she hadn't expected to marry Joe, or keep him. He was of that other world, too. But the child was hers -- a living bridge between two worlds. Let people talk.” From “Cora, Unashamed” Single click the speaker icon or audio words to hear the clip >>>>

37. Works of Hughes I, Too “I, too, sing America I am the darker brother.They send me to eat in the kitchenWhen company comes,But I laughAnd eat well,And grow strong. Tomorrow,I'll be at the tableWhen company comes.Nobody'll dareSay to me,"Eat in the kitchen,"Then. Besides,They'll see how beautiful I amAnd be ashamed— I too, am America.” Single click the speaker icon or audio words to hear the clip >>>>

38. Countee Cullen 1903–1946 • Poet, novelist, playwright, translator • Birth city unknown • On college transcripts claimed to be from Louisville, Kentucky • Later claimed to be from New York City • Baltimore was also a suspected home town

39. Cullen: Childhood • Adopted by Reverend and Mrs. Cullen • Strong Methodist background • Attended New York University • Married W.E.B. DuBois’ child, Yolande

40. Cullen: Writing • Writings showed skill and power • Understood poets of the Romantic period • Became first “cross-over” writer of the Harlem Renaissance • Won more literary awards than any other writer of the 1920s

41. Works of Cullen • Color (1925) • First publication of collection of poems • Establishes Cullen as the major poet of the Harlem Renaissance • Celebrates the beauty of African Americans • Despises racism • Writes in traditional style of sonnets

42. Works of Cullen Excerpt of the poem “To John Keats, Poet, at Springtime” as printed in Color “‘John Keats is dead,’ they say, but I Who hear your full insistent cry In bud and blossom, leaf and tree, Know John Keats still writes poetry. And while my head is earthward bowed To read new life sprung from your shroud, Folks seeing me must think it strange That merely spring should so derange My mind. They do not know that you, John Keats, keep revel with me, too”

43. Works of Cullen: Video Single click screen to view video

44. Concluding Thoughts • Varied styles and philosophies • Common themes • Lasting impact