HARLEM RENAISSANCE

Harlem Renaissance

Abstract

In this study we try to explore the concept of “Harlem Renaissance “in a holistic context. The main focus of the research is on the Harlem Renaissance or the New Negro Movement began in the 1920s in Harlem, New York. The research also explores the movement started after the World War I, and lost momentum during the Great Depression, in 1935. The middle-class African American families of the South moved to the industrial cities after the Civil War, in search of jobs.

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION4

THESIS STATEMENT4

HARLEM RENAISSANCE4

CONCLUSION7

REFERENCES7

Harlem Renaissance

Introduction

Langston Hughes contributed a tremendous influence on black culture throughout the United States during the era known as the Harlem Renaissance. He is generally considered being one of the most prolific and most-recognized black poets of the Harlem Renaissance. He broke through barriers that very few black artists had done before this period. Hughes was presented with a great opportunity with the rise black art during the 1920's and by his creative style of poetry, which used black culture as its basis and still appealed to all ethnicities (Watson 90-109).

Thesis statement

Langston's Harlem is the considered the voice of a race in Harlem Renaissance.

Harlem Renaissance

Until the Harlem Renaissance, poetry and literature were dominated by white people and were all about ethical culture. However, during the 1920's, there was an explosion of black literature and, art poured from black artists and activists who represented black pride and individuality from the white dominance (Andrews 78-81). Originally known as the New Negro Movement, it later became known as the Harlem Renaissance due to where it was birthed and seemed to be the area that it burned the most intense. One of the reasons why there was a rise in black culture in the Harlem area is due to the great migration of blacks to Northern cities during the early 1920's. Racial discrimination, segregation, and interracial tension were also contributing factors to the Harlem Renaissance (Knopf 45-49). Blacks were tired of being part of white America and wanted to break free and express not only black pride but, black culture particularly. Langston Hughes emerged as one of the front men of the black movement of expression and art through the use of his creative writing (Schwarz, Christa 112-119). Unlike earlier African American writers, Harlem Renaissance authors found that their works received greater exposure; during the 1920's and early 1930's, leading publishers produced books by African Americans with an unprecedented frequency. Black writers had improved opportunities to accomplish two main goals: to portray African American life accurately and to promote African American culture. Collectively, works of the Harlem Renaissance provide a panorama of early twentieth century miserable life. Characters vary from ones whose deeds are virtuous to those whose actions are questionable, although in general, Harlem Renaissance literature presents more upright characters. They represent all levels of society, socially and economically. For the first time in American literature (Watson 90-109), there are consistent attempts to portray African Americans in urban ...