Harlem Renaissance poetry

Read the introduction to the Harlem Renaissance in the textbook (816-7).

Read the following poems:
Countee Cullen, "Tableau" and "Incident"
Langston Hughes, "The Weary Blues", "Harlem" (see below), and "The Negro Speaks of Rivers"






Harlem
Langston Hughes

Here on the edge of hell Stands Harlem— Remembering the old lies, The old kicks in the back, The old “Be patient” They told us before. Sure, we remember. Now when the man at the corner store Says sugar’s gone up another two cents, And bread one, And there’s a new tax on cigarettes— We remember the job we never had, Never could get, And can’t have now Because we’re colored. So we stand here On the edge of hell In Harlem And look out on the world And wonder What we’re gonna do In the face of what We remember.        Explain where Cullen and Hughes have each included issues or topics unique to African Americans in the 1920s.  Sample issues/topics to look for: a.       Racism b.      African American culture (jazz music, traditional African American religious hymns, Biblical stories, famous African Americans) c.       African American history, especially slavery d.      City life Read one of the following poems: Jean Toomer, "Portrait in Georgia", "Reapers", "Song of the Son", "Storm Ending" or Claude McKay, "America", "The Barrier", "Harlem Shadows" (All are available online). Label this question with the title you have chosen. a. Describe the basic situation of the poem (What happens? Who are the characters?). b.                        What is the overall tone of the poem? What words show this? c. How does your poem reflect characteristics of Harlem Renaissance poetry?        Read “I Hear America Singing” on p. 364 of the textbook.  Look at “I, Too” below.  Explain what Hughes is saying in his response to Whitman. I, Too   by Langston Hughes I, too, sing America. I am the darker brother. They send me to eat in the kitchen When company comes, But I laugh, And eat well, And grow strong. Tomorrow, I'll be at the table When company comes. Nobody'll dare Say to me, "Eat in the kitchen," Then. Besides, They'll see how beautiful I am And be ashamed-- I, too, am America.