Harlem Renaissance Poets
The Project Paper focuses on a suggested topic related to art, architecture, history, music, or literature. The project will reflect your views and interpretation of the topic. This project is designed to help you stretch your mind and your abilities to be the creative, innovative, and critical thinker you already are! Choose one (1) of the topics from the list of topic choices below. Read the topic carefully. Write a three to four (3-4) page paper (750-1,000 words) that responds to each of the items described in the topic. For the topic you choose: Support your ideas with specific, illustrative examples. If there are questions or points associated with your chosen topic, be sure to answer all of the listed questions and address all of the items in that topic. If your topic asks you to do several things related to the topic, be sure to do each of the things listed. While some of the topics tend to lend themselves toward particular writing genres, you are not restricted to the specific format suggested for the individual topic. For example, you may do an “interview,” a “proposal,” a “letter,” a “short story,” a “blog,” an “essay,” an “article,” or any other written genre for almost any of the topics. The project is intended to be fun as well as informative, so feel free to be creative with the delivery of your information. Use at least two (2) sources besides the textbook, which counts as one (1) source. Harlem Renaissance Poets. Essay & Poem. Choose two (2) poems by different authors from the Harlem Renaissance. Write an essay that: Describes each author’s role and importance within the Harlem Renaissance. Identify the elements in each of their poems in which you see evidence of the “double-consciousness” being expressed by each author. Describe the primary themes you see in the poetry written during this time period, referring to specific lines in each of the poems. Write your own poem that expresses these identified themes of the Harlem Renaissance. Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements: Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; references must follow APA Style format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions specific to the selected topic. (Note: Students can find APA style materials located in the course shell for reference.) Include a cover page containing the tile of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required page length.
Harlem Renaissance Poets
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Introduction
Harlem renaissance refers to the black American intellectuals and artistic movement, which developed during 1920s. The movement occurred in Harlem, New York, though its influence spread in the entire country and reached the world. Due to civil war, many black Americans moved to the northern urban regions such as Chicago and New York. Harlem was the major destination where several black Americans resided. It was a place where culture of the black Americans thrived. Black American intellectuals, musicians, writes, artists and poets established new methods of expressing delight in their culture and race. The basis of Harlem renaissance was the fact that it was the time for black Americans to become active in the society and develop their culture in important ways. Poetry was a significant aspect of the Harlem renaissance. Claude McKay and Langston Hughes were some of the great Harlem renaissance poets. Claude McKay created an influential poem known as ‘If We Must Die’ while Langston Hughes wrote a poem called ‘The Negro Speaks of rivers’ (1920).
Authors’ roles and significance with the Harlem Renaissance
Claude McKay was considered as one of great poets of the Harlem Renaissance. He arrived in America during 1912 when he was aged 21. Robert (2006) says that McKay already gained acknowledgement as a prolific poet after he published a book entitled ‘Songs of Jamaica’ (1911). He arrived in New York and involved in the literary movements. He earned his livelihood as a poet. His poem ‘If We Must Die’ was his most famous work. His poem ‘Harlem Shadows’ was a predecessor to the Harlem Renaissance. McKay contributed to the development of the Harlem Renaissance. His poems depicted United States with a perspective of hate and love as well as pleasure and pain. He viewed America having all bad and good qualities. In his poem ‘America’ he described hate-love relationship, which African Americans had with United States. In his poem’ If We Must Die’ motivated the blacks to become active and remain firm both figuratively and literally.
Langston Hughes employed his skills and art in writing, poetry and social activism promoting equality and dignity of the black Americans (Robert, 2006). Langston Hughes was a great contributor of the Harlem Renaissance. As a member of this movement, he fought for African identity and culture. He was a passionate writer who had a pride for his culture and therefore he participated actively for the proliferation of Harlem Renaissance. Through his writings, poetry, plays and novels, he refuted against injustice and racism; advocated for equality and celebrated the pride of black American culture.
‘If We Must Die’
Claude McKay wrote the poem ‘If We Must Die’. The poem starts by McKay saying that he and his supports are being attacked by hunger dogs. The poem created the scene visibly showing how the two groups confront one another. He encourages his supporters to remain active and fight against their enemies without becoming tired. In the poem, McKay motivated his allies to defend themselves, not just waiting to be murdered (McKay, 2004). McKay encourages his allies to face a dignified death so that their blood should not shed fruitlessly. He urged his allies to fight back so that their enemies could respect their deaths. McKay tells his followers that even if they are few, they must be courageous to die while fighting. For him, dying a courageous and dignified death is the most important thing for black Americans.
McKay used imagery and symb...