THE HARLEM RENAISSANCE

By: Don Canja, Jamil Usman John Bigalbal, Andrew Tanmajo

INTRODUCTION HARLEM RENAISSANCE

• The Harlem Renaissance rose a century after the abolition of slavery

• The Harlem Renaissance was a time of Jazz and Art. Jazz was performed by many African Americans in Harlem and it soon became more attractive to whites.

• The overall purpose of the Harlem Renaissance was to challenge racism and stereotyping with music, art, and literature.

• By the turn of the 20th century, black community established a middle class, in the urban areas.

• Harlem became a center of this expanding Black middle class.

• It is seen as an expression of great social and cultural change that took place in America during the early 20th century . 

NOTABLE AUTHORS AND WORKS• Paul Laurence DunbarI. “Frederick Douglass”II. “Sympathy”III. “We Wear the Mask”

• Langston HughesI. “The Negro Speaks of Rivers”II. “Theme for English B”III. “Jazzonia”

• Arna BontempsI. “God Give to Men”II. “Southern Mansion”III. “Length of Moon”

• Claude MckayI. “If We Must Die”II. “The White House”III. “The Tropics of New York”

TECHNIQUES AND THEMES

Techniques• Figurative Language• Metaphors• Similes• Symbolism• Imagery

Themes• Equality• Peace• Non Violent Movements• Fighting Back with

Education

PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR

• Born in Dayton, Ohio on June 27, 1872• Paul Laurence Dunbar was the first

African-American poet to garner national critical acclaim

• Dunbar published a book of poems known as Oak and Ivy that was published in 1892.

• In 1902, Dunbar and his wife separated and his depression caused him to do damage upon his health due to alcohol

• Died on Feb. 9, 1906.

LANGSTON HUGHES• Born Feb 1, 1902-May 22, 1967• An American poet, social activist,

novelist, play wright, and columnist

• Was one of the earliest innovations of Jazz poetry

• He is best known for being the lender of the Harlem Renaissance

• Greatly influenced by Paul Laurence Dunbar, Carl Sandburg and Walt Whiteman

• He wrote about jazz, and African American life in America

ARNA BONTEMPS• Writer and Poet• Born in Alexandria, Lousiana

(October 13, 1902 – June 4, 1973)• Grew up in California and graduated

from Pacific Union College. Earned his master’s degree in Library Science from the University of Chicago.

• In his early career he collaborated with Langston Hughes, Popo and Fifina. A travel book for children.

• Published Black Thunder, which was his finest work in any genre.

• Contributed many Poems and Novels describing The Harlem Renaissance and African American’s struggle through it.

CLAUDE MCKAY

• Claude McKay Jamaican- American novelist and Poet.

• Born in Jamaica September 15, 1889. • Died in Chicago May 22, 1948. His

novel, "Home to Harlem" Became his best selling Novel as it won the Harmon Gold Award for Literature.

• He was known to be attracted to Communism as he took trips to the Soviet Union and wrote positively about communism.

• Years later, he soon started to dislike and write negatively about communism.

THE ERA OF JAZZ

HARLEM RENAISSANCE QUIZ

1. What was the overall purpose of the Harlem Renaissance?

a) To Create Violenceb) To Create Peace c) To Start a Petitiond) To Make Poems

HARLEM RENAISSANCE QUIZ

2. What other component was the Harlem Renaissance known for?

a) Violenceb) Artc) Technologyd) Parties

HARLEM RENAISSANCE QUIZ

3. Which poet was seen as a communist?

a) Arna Bontempsb) Claude McKayc) Langston Hughesd) Paul Laurence Dunbar

HARLEM RENAISSANCE QUIZ

4. What type of music was commonly found during the Harlem Renaissance?

a) Countryb) Jazzc) Rapd) Electro

HARLEM RENAISSANCE QUIZ

5. What theme did poets use during this time?

a) Make Moneyb) Equalityc) Vengeanced) Dreams

CLASS INTERACTION

• Make a poem that relates to the Harlem Renaissance• (For example Equality, Peace, Fighting Back, Etc.)

WORK CITED

• http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/5657• http://www.dunbarsite.org/biopld.asp• http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/poets/a_f/bontemps/

life.htm