American Literature: The Harlem Renaissance

Study Notes

The Harlem Renaissance

A cultural movement during the 1920s and 1930s that showcased African-American artists and writers.
Influenced by the migration of African-Americans to northern cities and the popularity of jazz music known as the Jazz Age.
Marked the first significant concentration of black voices addressing the experience of being a minority in America.
Prominent figures include W.E.B. Du Bois, Alain Locke, Zora Neale Hurston, Countee Cullen, Langston Hughes, and Claude McKay.

W.E.B. Du Bois

An influential civil rights spokesperson for over 30 years.
Authored "The Souls of Black Folk," a work that inspired 1960s black consciousness and activism.
Co-founder of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
Served as the editor for the NAACP's magazine, "The Crisis."

Alain Locke

Authored "The New Negro," considered a pivotal work of the Harlem Renaissance.
The book features a collection of essays and stories by diverse black writers, highlighting their insights and experiences.

Zora Neale Hurston

A versatile writer known for her poems, plays, and novels, with "Their Eyes Were Watching God" as her most famous work.
The novel explores gender and race issues through the perspective of a mixed-race woman in the South.

Countee Cullen

A prominent poet of the Harlem Renaissance, alongside Langston Hughes.
His poem "Heritage" explores the connection of African Americans to their African roots and culture.

Langston Hughes

Celebrated as one of the leading poets of the Harlem Renaissance, noted for capturing the African American experience.
"Harlem" reflects on the dream of equality and warns of the consequences of its unfulfillment for all races.
"I, Too, Sing America" asserts his place in the American narrative despite racial discrimination.

Claude McKay

A Jamaican-American writer and poet whose work addressed the challenges faced by black immigrants.
"America" reflects a love-hate relationship with the nation, while "If We Must Die" calls for resistance during racial violence and advocates for the empowerment of African Americans.

Description

Explore the impact of the Harlem Renaissance on American literature through flashcards. This cultural movement of the 1920s and 1930s amplified the voices of African-American artists and writers, significantly shaping the mainstream narrative. Delve into the influential art, music, and literary contributions that emerged during this pivotal time.