The Harlem Renaissance

   

        In his novel “The New Negro” (1925), Alain Locke Called for a “New Race Capital.” This new capital would later be established in Harlem. African American writers, painters, musicians, and scholars, all gathered to live and work in this now famous section of New York City. Shortly after the civil war, African Americans such as W.E.B. Dubouis and Alain Locke committed themselves to establishing a power of their own; this power was education. Harlem emerged as the “place to be” for budding artists and scholars of this time. The highly populated area allowed for the accelerated growth of a new African American Cultural Identity, giving birth to Jazz and the blues.

    Artist like Langston Hughes and Duke Ellington played a large part in defining the Harlem renaisannce and subsequently; the new negro.  The Mood in Harlem was one of unity and pride, I believe that that mood is captured in the work. Below is a video of Duke Ellington for your enoyment.

Literary Realism in “The Yellow Wallpaper”

     The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman is a short story about postpartum depression and the medical practices of the late 1800’s. At this time little was known about mental illness and it became common practice to isolate patients or lock them away. For this reason “The Yellow Wallpaper” exhibits many of the characteristics of Literary realism.

     Literary Realism is a form of writing that reflects the societal and cultural practices of the time period during which the piece was written.  Gilman creates a first person account of her ailing mental illness. By choosing to write in the first person narrative Gilman is commenting on the extreme isolation felt by the mental patients of her time. With no outlet, besides her diary, Gilman is able to give  readers access to even the most private corners of her mind.

The Language of African American Folktales

       African American Folktales have been passed down from generation to generation. In particular, stories such as   ” The Divner”, and “Old Boss wants into heaven”  told by John Blackmore, present accounts of the life of a southern slave. These narratives, which are meant to be told and not read, are often vehicles for morality. The short anecdotes often talk about slaves  performing nearly impossible tasks.  For example, in “The Diviner” a servent magically concludes that a racoon resides under a mysterious box set by his master, by doing so he wins his freedom.

      Another reoccuring theme seen in these tales is that of one character outwitting, or outsmarting another. In the animal tail “When Brer Deer and Brer Terrapin Runned a Race”  One unlikely character uses his witts to win. Brer Terripan was an old, poor, soul who was competting with Brer deer for Mr. Coon’s daughter. In the end Brer Terripan enlist the help of his brothers to fool his competetor and emerge victoriously with the love of Mr. Coons daughter.

  In these Animal tales the characters are all the same. Mr. Coon, Brer (or brother) Rabbit, Brer Deer, Brer Terripan and Brer Fox, all re-emerge again and again. 

     As I have mentioned above, folktales are meant to be heard, theres something about the delivery that provides entertainment and brings the story to life. In the Conjure stories like “The Diviner” we see a re-occuring relationship between John the slave, and his master.  Below is a video of Dianne Ferlatte telling one of these conjure stories;  “High John the Conqueror”.  Dianne brings a certain gusto to the story making it possible to imagine the effect these stories had on the inhabitants of southern plantations.

High John the Conqueror

American Literature Since 1880

Welcome,

     If your interested in  modern and contemporary literary themes than you’ve come to the right place. The purpose of this blog is to explore pieces of literature by great American authors such as  Earnest Hemingway and F.Scott Fitzgerald. I graciously invite you to check in each week as I post responses to literary works  spanning the timeframe between 1880 and today. 

    Thank you,

           Dave