Langston Hughes and Harlem Renaissance

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Questions and Answers

According to the passage, why did white people start coming to Harlem in the 1920s?

To escape the crowded areas of downtown New York

To experience the vibrant cultural scene of the Harlem Renaissance

To support the local businesses and community

To visit the exclusive Cotton Club on Lenox Avenue (correct)

Why did Langston Hughes mention that he was never at the Cotton Club?

Because he did not want to associate with gangsters and monied whites (correct)

Because he was not interested in the nightlife of Harlem

Because he was not allowed entry as a non-celebrity African American

Because he did not have enough money to afford the club's expensive entry fee

What was the attitude of the Harlem Negroes towards the Cotton Club?

They were supportive of its exclusivity

They appreciated its vibrant atmosphere

They disapproved of its Jim Crow policy (correct)

They were indifferent towards the club

Which literary style does Langston Hughes predominantly use in the passage?

Paratactic style Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the passage?

Highlighting the discrimination faced by African Americans in Harlem Signup and view all the answers

Who was welcomed at the Cotton Club, despite its discriminatory policies?

African American celebrities like Bojangles Signup and view all the answers

What effect did the discriminatory policies of the Cotton Club have on its standing in Harlem?

It was not liked or appreciated by Harlem Negroes Signup and view all the answers

Why did Langston Hughes describe the writing style as predominantly paratactic?

To emphasize the casual and conversational flavor of the writing Signup and view all the answers

According to Langston Hughes, what was the Cotton Club's policy towards Negro patronage?

Exclusive and discriminatory Signup and view all the answers

What major event does Langston Hughes discuss in relation to white people coming to Harlem?

The influx of white visitors to Harlem Signup and view all the answers

According to the passage, why did ordinary Negroes dislike the growing influx of whites toward Harlem after sundown?

They were given the best ringside tables in the cabarets and bars, making the Negro customers feel like amusing animals in a zoo. Signup and view all the answers

What was the consequence for the owners of Harlem clubs who barred their own race?

They quickly lost business and folded up. Signup and view all the answers

What made Miss Bentley an amazing exhibition of musical energy?

Her ability to play a big piano all night long without stopping. Signup and view all the answers

What does the author imply about the '20s and the changes in Harlem nightlife?

The '20s saw a decline in fine things in Harlem night life due to its commercialization and catering to downtown tourists. Signup and view all the answers

Why did most small clubs in Harlem fail to attract patrons without black patronage?

They lacked big floor shows and a name band like the Cotton Club. Signup and view all the answers

Why did Miss Bentley's old magic of the woman, piano, night, and rhythm disappear?

The place where she played became too well known, leading to changes in her style and audience. Signup and view all the answers

What grievous error did some owners of Harlem clubs make regarding their own race?

They barred their own race after the manner of the famous Cotton Club. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

White People in Harlem

In the 1920s, an influx of white people to Harlem was driven by curiosity about the vibrant Black cultural scene, particularly jazz and nightlife.

Langston Hughes and the Cotton Club

Langston Hughes mentioned he was never at the Cotton Club to emphasize his disconnection from an elite space that denied entry to most Black patrons.
Harlem Negroes often viewed the Cotton Club with disdain; it was seen as an exclusive venue that catered primarily to white audiences.

Literary Style

Hughes predominantly employs paratactic style in his writing, which uses simple, direct statements without elaborate conjunctions, enhancing clarity and rhythm.

Primary Focus of the Passage

The focus is on the complex dynamics of race and culture in Harlem, specifically how nightlife was impacted by segregation and discrimination.

Discriminatory Policies

Despite its discriminatory policies, the Cotton Club welcomed white patrons, making it a popular but exclusive venue.

Cotton Club's Standing in Harlem

The club's discriminatory practices led to resentment among Harlem residents, diminishing its appeal among the local Black community.

Paratactic Writing Style

Hughes describes his style as paratactic to reflect the straightforwardness and immediacy of his observations about Harlem life and culture.

Cotton Club Patronage Policies

The Cotton Club's policy was to exclude Negro patronage, focusing solely on providing entertainment for white audiences.

Major Events Discussed

Hughes discusses the broader societal changes and the Great Migration as significant factors influencing the movement of white patrons into Harlem.

Ordinary Negroes' Discontent

Many ordinary Negroes disliked the increasing presence of whites in Harlem nightlife after dark, feeling it disrupted the community's cultural atmosphere.

Consequences for Club Owners

Owners of Harlem clubs who barred their own race faced backlash and loss of credibility within the community, as they were seen as betraying their heritage.

Miss Bentley's Musical Energy

Miss Bentley was recognized for her powerful performance style, showcasing an extraordinary blend of talent, charisma, and connection to the audience.

Implications of 1920s Changes

The author suggests that the 1920s marked significant transformations in Harlem nightlife, indicating a shift towards commercialization and the influence of white audiences.

Challenges for Small Clubs

Most small clubs failed to attract patrons without the support of Black clientele, highlighting the integral role of the Black community in Harlem's cultural scene.

Disappearance of Miss Bentley's Magic

The special qualities that made Miss Bentley’s performances captivating diminished, possibly due to changing tastes and societal shifts impacting her appeal.

Error of Club Owners

Some owners of Harlem clubs made the grievous error of prioritizing white patrons over their own race, undermining the essence of the vibrant Black cultural community they sought to represent.

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Description

Test your knowledge on Langston Hughes and the cultural movement of the Harlem Renaissance with this quiz based on a passage from "The Big Sea". Explore the significant impact of Hughes and his portrayal of Harlem in the 1920s.