Studying the Harlem Renaissance today, so many years later, is important for the same reasons it's important to learn about anything in history. From the positive artistic influences that continue to inspire today to the remnants of the hatred the writers of the Harlem Renaissance addressed that are still present in our country.
Also, there are the brilliant works of literature that some of us in the class may have been familiar with prior to taking the class and others who were not. If discovering one writer, out of the various authors covered in class, whose work you truly enjoy was the result of this course, then that alone makes it worth it.
From this class I take a new understanding of some favorite writers and an awakening to works of writers I'd never heard of, but am very glad I did. My best to everyone, have a blessed holiday break.
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Their Eyes Were Watching God continued...
Janie is finally asserting herself and not taking anyone's garbage anymore. There is a great deal of discussion of the "horizons" especially on page 89 in chapter 9. We are told of the hatred Janie has for her grandmother and how her mind has been manipulated and discouraged by her grandmother's words. As she has become a widow she wears black and tells off Ike Green for his advancements when he begins pressing her to get married.
What follows is an affair with Tea Cake which Janie stumbles into and she become jealous of him later on as he seems to have an affair with Nunkie. Janie confronts Tea Cake and is not satisfied until she presses him to speak ill of her.
What follows is an affair with Tea Cake which Janie stumbles into and she become jealous of him later on as he seems to have an affair with Nunkie. Janie confronts Tea Cake and is not satisfied until she presses him to speak ill of her.
Monday, November 19, 2007
There Eyes Were Watching God
I have seen the movie on which this book was based. I believe it was an Oprah's Book Club movie and Halle Berry played the leading role of Janie. I love reading the realistic dialect of the south. When writers go that extra mile for authenticity it says a lot about the story as a whole.
The story is based mainly around Janie, the judgment hanging over her head and the relationships with men she has. The family history and what happened with her mother is explained to her in a way that shows the lasting impact of atrocities visited upon a family and how she will still have to live it down.
The character of Joe tells Janie how she should be lucky that he trusts here when most men wouldn't if they knew who her parents were. The feelings of shame and inadequacy will most likely haunt her for many years.
I'm looking forward to seeing where her relations with these men ultimately take her.
The story is based mainly around Janie, the judgment hanging over her head and the relationships with men she has. The family history and what happened with her mother is explained to her in a way that shows the lasting impact of atrocities visited upon a family and how she will still have to live it down.
The character of Joe tells Janie how she should be lucky that he trusts here when most men wouldn't if they knew who her parents were. The feelings of shame and inadequacy will most likely haunt her for many years.
I'm looking forward to seeing where her relations with these men ultimately take her.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Langston Hughes
If there is one book I held onto that I bought in college (and that's probably what it'll come down to) it's this. I've been looking forward to November for two reasons, Thanksgiving of course, but also because I could see in the syllabus that it was this month that we would finally get to Langston Hughes.
His words are what I think of when I think of the Harlem Renaissance. And while I am far from anything resembling an expert, he most certainly is and he makes you feel like you're standing by his side as he takes in these perceptions and transposes them into words.
Whether there are many lines or few it matters not. He conveys feelings and emotions and annoyances and general observations perfectly through his words and effortlessly connects you to them. "Summer Night" "Mother to Son" "Song." These are compelling images that put what he's talking about in your ears and your nostrils and right in front of your face.
He sings through his words. Just as much musical lyric as poetic his poems pull from multiple influences to create something that is fresh even these many years later. The heartbreaking "Drama for Winter Night (Fifth Avenue)" and "Prayer for a Winter Night" exhibit the plight of the poor and the compassion that lives on in hopelessness.
Perfection.
I'm enjoying these if you didn't notice.
His words are what I think of when I think of the Harlem Renaissance. And while I am far from anything resembling an expert, he most certainly is and he makes you feel like you're standing by his side as he takes in these perceptions and transposes them into words.
Whether there are many lines or few it matters not. He conveys feelings and emotions and annoyances and general observations perfectly through his words and effortlessly connects you to them. "Summer Night" "Mother to Son" "Song." These are compelling images that put what he's talking about in your ears and your nostrils and right in front of your face.
He sings through his words. Just as much musical lyric as poetic his poems pull from multiple influences to create something that is fresh even these many years later. The heartbreaking "Drama for Winter Night (Fifth Avenue)" and "Prayer for a Winter Night" exhibit the plight of the poor and the compassion that lives on in hopelessness.
Perfection.
I'm enjoying these if you didn't notice.
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Countee Cullen Poems
These first few Cullen poems show a great amount of religious conflict stirring within the writer. These are themes that can transcend any social or economic background. Crisis of faith and the loss of innocence.
The latter of the two coming within the short simple heart breaking "Incident" where a cheerful wide-eyed youth venturing to a new city is dealt the first cold hard stinging blow of an abomination of hate that will plague the youth for a lifetime.
In "Simon" and "Pagan Prayer" there is a longing for faith, but a distance that is yet to be overcome to achieve it. The honesty of "Prayer" in the uncertainty with which Cullen approaches Christianity is very moving. Cullen simultaneously lays bare the feelings of doubt in the faith with the feelings of admiration for those who follow the teachings of it. A truly evident conflict displayed with honesty resulting in some top notch poetic work.
The latter of the two coming within the short simple heart breaking "Incident" where a cheerful wide-eyed youth venturing to a new city is dealt the first cold hard stinging blow of an abomination of hate that will plague the youth for a lifetime.
In "Simon" and "Pagan Prayer" there is a longing for faith, but a distance that is yet to be overcome to achieve it. The honesty of "Prayer" in the uncertainty with which Cullen approaches Christianity is very moving. Cullen simultaneously lays bare the feelings of doubt in the faith with the feelings of admiration for those who follow the teachings of it. A truly evident conflict displayed with honesty resulting in some top notch poetic work.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
The Best of the Brownies Book
It was nice to see more work from Fauset's pen this week. The "Spring Songs" were excellent children's fare that can be enjoyed by readers of all ages. "The Runaway Kite" and "The Teasing Hoop" are excellent fantasy poems, with "Kite"'s description of the fairies using the kite to "sail for their fairy barks that patrol the seas." "Adventures On Roller Skates" is another fantastical concept that encourages children to dream of venturing to far away lands and use their imaginations in everyday games.
My favorite aspect of The Best of the Brownies Book was definitely the Br'er Rabbit stories by Julia Price Burrell. When I was a child my mother used to read me Br'er Rabbit stories from the Walt Disney company like "Br'er Rabbit and the Briar Patch." It was really cool to see where these stories originated from. They were great moral stories teaching sharing, cleverness and staying out of trouble.
My favorite aspect of The Best of the Brownies Book was definitely the Br'er Rabbit stories by Julia Price Burrell. When I was a child my mother used to read me Br'er Rabbit stories from the Walt Disney company like "Br'er Rabbit and the Briar Patch." It was really cool to see where these stories originated from. They were great moral stories teaching sharing, cleverness and staying out of trouble.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Passing
This is an interesting story as we are now seeing the lives of two black women who live an affluent lifestyle different from the one we've seen lived by blacks of this era in other works from other authors. The familiar theme of passing for white when one truly knows them self to be black is an intriguing deception brought about with considerable ease by Claire and Irene. Claire especially, married to a white racist and having a child with him. The psychological effects this has on her are the most interesting to see, as she lives this lie day in and day out and longs to be with blacks once again and almost risks everything to be with other members of her race again. I'm looking forward to future developments.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Ethnic Notions
The media has great power and with this power it has a knack for shaping our thoughts and opinions and general impressions of our nation and society. The news media is one thing, but the aspects of our society shown in the film "Ethnic Notions" are something entirely different.
Simple items that Americans accepted into their homes represented some of the most disrespectful imagery of the time. Porcelain statues, decorations, etc. all exemplified a false image of African Americans shown to the rest of the nation.
It is painful to realize that beloved childhood television like Looney Tunes once played a part in this deception. Starting children off with the ridiculous idea of black people actually acting like the characters portrayed in the cartoons probably aided in creating a generation of people who thought that way.
Probably the most amazing piece of information in the video was just the underlying theme that all of what we were seeing was considered normal by many white Americans at the time. Worse still, the film makes the viewers realize how many stereotypes are still there today.
Simple items that Americans accepted into their homes represented some of the most disrespectful imagery of the time. Porcelain statues, decorations, etc. all exemplified a false image of African Americans shown to the rest of the nation.
It is painful to realize that beloved childhood television like Looney Tunes once played a part in this deception. Starting children off with the ridiculous idea of black people actually acting like the characters portrayed in the cartoons probably aided in creating a generation of people who thought that way.
Probably the most amazing piece of information in the video was just the underlying theme that all of what we were seeing was considered normal by many white Americans at the time. Worse still, the film makes the viewers realize how many stereotypes are still there today.
Monday, October 1, 2007
Change of Pace
There is a definite switching of gears in these Fauset poems. The themes are no longer exclusive to all but African Americans, but instead have turned into universal themes of unrequited love, jealousy and heartache.
After the sadness of "Oriflamme," which contains the anecdote from Sojourner Truth, there is a collection of poems based on common issues within everyday relationships. From the fight between lovers in "Words! Words!" and the jealous lover in "Touche'" there is a recurring theme from Fauset that is not based in matters of social unrest in her race, but in common heartaches of all.
One of the most gripping of all the works is "La Vie C'Est la Vie" in which two lovers are in an embrace, but the woman can is not in love with the man she is with and can only think of the only man who can set her "chilly blood afire." She reminds herself that "a woman would give her chance of heaven to take (her) place," but because of her betrayal of her real love and her own heart she ultimately wishes she were dead.
Powerful observations on love and betrayal and all the trials and tribulations that come along with each.
After the sadness of "Oriflamme," which contains the anecdote from Sojourner Truth, there is a collection of poems based on common issues within everyday relationships. From the fight between lovers in "Words! Words!" and the jealous lover in "Touche'" there is a recurring theme from Fauset that is not based in matters of social unrest in her race, but in common heartaches of all.
One of the most gripping of all the works is "La Vie C'Est la Vie" in which two lovers are in an embrace, but the woman can is not in love with the man she is with and can only think of the only man who can set her "chilly blood afire." She reminds herself that "a woman would give her chance of heaven to take (her) place," but because of her betrayal of her real love and her own heart she ultimately wishes she were dead.
Powerful observations on love and betrayal and all the trials and tribulations that come along with each.
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Cane
What a very engaging an abstract format this compilation of stories follows! After a few pages of short story/essay we are presented with a few poems, breaking up the rhythm of the book and moving along in a sort of poetic scrapbook of images, dreams, feelings and gripping characters of this time. From the irresistible, seductive Karintha, to the tragic tale of Becky and her sons. These writings are dark, real and uncompromising in their description of these events and visions. How graphic the "Song of the Son" is in it's poetic description of the horror of lynching, the parallels it draws between the victims and fruit of the trees. These writings are both gritty and truly gripping. I look forward to the stories that will follow.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Claude McKay
Finally, this is what I've been waiting for. Poetry from the streets of Harlem, in the thick of its Rennaissance. With poignant care and beautiful realism Claude McKay captures the anger, frustration, sadness and enduring spirit of his people in Harlem.
Of all the poems here I felt the best by far was "The Negro Dancers." As a three-part house party epic, McKay captures not only the feeling of truly being in the setting of the smokey basement, but also the sense that he is constructing an analogy for the entire lives of his people as well. Trapped in an endless dance while they live beaten down to this underworld of oppression, poverty and despair, still they continue the dance. And not only do they dance, but they dance with joy in their eyes, in a mirthful, consistent swirl of excitement and happiness and they truly boggle McKay's mind with their perseverence.
There are also other broader, common themes here such as a "live for today" notion, evidenced by McKay's references to the dance being the dancers "true joy of life." The most gripping and touching aspect of the poem, however, is McKay's wide-eyed wonderment of his people as he exclaims with an "oh!" and the dancers capture him with the "dreamy loveliness" of the "poetry in their eyes."
It is not a poem of hope. There is no certainty of a brighter better future for the people of Harlem or for his race at this point in history, but McKay is rather stepping back in admiration of their love for the dance, which can't help but be interpreted as a representation of life. While life is as difficult as it is, the "negro dancers" perseverance to find happiness amidst their day to day sadness.
Of all the poems here I felt the best by far was "The Negro Dancers." As a three-part house party epic, McKay captures not only the feeling of truly being in the setting of the smokey basement, but also the sense that he is constructing an analogy for the entire lives of his people as well. Trapped in an endless dance while they live beaten down to this underworld of oppression, poverty and despair, still they continue the dance. And not only do they dance, but they dance with joy in their eyes, in a mirthful, consistent swirl of excitement and happiness and they truly boggle McKay's mind with their perseverence.
There are also other broader, common themes here such as a "live for today" notion, evidenced by McKay's references to the dance being the dancers "true joy of life." The most gripping and touching aspect of the poem, however, is McKay's wide-eyed wonderment of his people as he exclaims with an "oh!" and the dancers capture him with the "dreamy loveliness" of the "poetry in their eyes."
It is not a poem of hope. There is no certainty of a brighter better future for the people of Harlem or for his race at this point in history, but McKay is rather stepping back in admiration of their love for the dance, which can't help but be interpreted as a representation of life. While life is as difficult as it is, the "negro dancers" perseverance to find happiness amidst their day to day sadness.
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Autobiography of a Ragtime Professor
These chapters were very entertaining! Everything from the smokey scenes of the ragtime club to the narrarator's realization of his musical prowess which earns him the title of "professor." I've always liked that idea of special nicknames being given out to musicians. This shows that it is a timeless concept in American popular music.
I greatly enjoyed the descriptions of life in the New York club playing music. As a musician I found this especially entertaining and compelling. His perspective was ideal for a young man of his age. Apparently he was an attractive and talented man. The ladies love him, the men admire him and hire him to entertain in the club. While the story is not always exciting the account of these days of his life most certainly are as he gets pulled only the slightest bit into the prospect of an affair with an unavailable but strikingly beautiful mysterious woman known as the widow. The intrigue finally hits its peak when the narrarator narrowly avoids bullets from the widow's scorned lover after he kills her in front of him.
It's all a bit fantastical really and dream-like, though the narrarator compares it to a nightmare as he retreats through the city streets only to be rescued by his millionaire and his valet. Then naturally he is whisked off to Europe the next day. It really does seem like something out of a Hunter S. Thompson novel until finally things chill out when the narrarator and millionaire finally have a heart to heart that marks one of the most compelling parts of the book when we hear the millionaire's argument against the narrarator returning home.
My first thought was, or course, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING!!!??? DON'T GO HOME! ARE YOU NUTS!!!???" Though he is in the middle of gay Paris with a man with as much money as God he decides to go home. Even he knows it's a bad idea, but he is a man on a search for himself. His identity, as it has been since the beginning of the tale, is more important to him than pretty much anything and he knows he won't find it in Cairo. So he must return home.
It is interesting that this decision comes only immediately after being showed up by another musician while playing his ragtime. This is an example of how music can be a competition at times and a musician's pride can be utterly destroyed after the musician's talents are diminished by another. While this seemed to play a part in the narrarator's decision I think it was a decision that he had already really made, but just hadn't realized yet.
An artist's realm is of monumental importance and makes a massive impact on the fruits of his labor. While the whole world is supposedly within the artist's scope it truly does matter what surroundings he places himself in. The narrarator believes he will be most inspired in the land of his birth and so must returnt there to be truly inspired and to take the unpolished diamonds that are the slave songs and turn them into his own masterpieces.
The millionaire's sentiments touch the narrarator. Not so much that they oppose his wishes, but that they indicate the care that he has for the narrarator simply because he does. We also, as the narrarator indicates see the millionaire for the first time as a critical and pondering man whereas before he seemed to only have two modes which the narrarator identify as gay or taciturn (pg. 147).
In any event the narrarator's return home is all a part of his quest. It is secondly a quest to perfect his art which he now loves and it is firstly a quest for identity and to have his identity recognized as well as recognize it himself.
I greatly enjoyed the descriptions of life in the New York club playing music. As a musician I found this especially entertaining and compelling. His perspective was ideal for a young man of his age. Apparently he was an attractive and talented man. The ladies love him, the men admire him and hire him to entertain in the club. While the story is not always exciting the account of these days of his life most certainly are as he gets pulled only the slightest bit into the prospect of an affair with an unavailable but strikingly beautiful mysterious woman known as the widow. The intrigue finally hits its peak when the narrarator narrowly avoids bullets from the widow's scorned lover after he kills her in front of him.
It's all a bit fantastical really and dream-like, though the narrarator compares it to a nightmare as he retreats through the city streets only to be rescued by his millionaire and his valet. Then naturally he is whisked off to Europe the next day. It really does seem like something out of a Hunter S. Thompson novel until finally things chill out when the narrarator and millionaire finally have a heart to heart that marks one of the most compelling parts of the book when we hear the millionaire's argument against the narrarator returning home.
My first thought was, or course, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING!!!??? DON'T GO HOME! ARE YOU NUTS!!!???" Though he is in the middle of gay Paris with a man with as much money as God he decides to go home. Even he knows it's a bad idea, but he is a man on a search for himself. His identity, as it has been since the beginning of the tale, is more important to him than pretty much anything and he knows he won't find it in Cairo. So he must return home.
It is interesting that this decision comes only immediately after being showed up by another musician while playing his ragtime. This is an example of how music can be a competition at times and a musician's pride can be utterly destroyed after the musician's talents are diminished by another. While this seemed to play a part in the narrarator's decision I think it was a decision that he had already really made, but just hadn't realized yet.
An artist's realm is of monumental importance and makes a massive impact on the fruits of his labor. While the whole world is supposedly within the artist's scope it truly does matter what surroundings he places himself in. The narrarator believes he will be most inspired in the land of his birth and so must returnt there to be truly inspired and to take the unpolished diamonds that are the slave songs and turn them into his own masterpieces.
The millionaire's sentiments touch the narrarator. Not so much that they oppose his wishes, but that they indicate the care that he has for the narrarator simply because he does. We also, as the narrarator indicates see the millionaire for the first time as a critical and pondering man whereas before he seemed to only have two modes which the narrarator identify as gay or taciturn (pg. 147).
In any event the narrarator's return home is all a part of his quest. It is secondly a quest to perfect his art which he now loves and it is firstly a quest for identity and to have his identity recognized as well as recognize it himself.
Monday, September 3, 2007
First Blog of the Semester
This is not only my first blog entry for the class, but my first blog entry ever! I've always wanted to start one, but I was just never sure of what the concept of mine should be. I have a cousin who does an album review blog that's very helpful when purchasing music and I have another friend who has been a writer for popular comics for many years and does a blog that explains his daily activities, upcoming projects and basically helps him connect with fans.
In this case my concept is easy to choose because it's for a class! I think I'm going to enjoy this because now I'll know what it's like keeping a blog and maybe finally start my own. I'm enjoying the class, it's honestly the one I was looking most forward to out of the 5 I'm taking this semester. I'm a communications major and have never taken only one other literature course in my years at St. Rose. It was called Re-writing Africa, so there's an obvious connection between that class and this one! That class was focused on stories by writers that were actually based in Africa however.
The Harlem Renaissance has always interested me from a musical standpoint, so it will be great to now venture into the literature. I have especially always wanted to read the works of Langston Hughes. Unfortunately the syllabis indicates that we won't get around to him until November, but I may take a look in his book of poems a little earlier than that. I've already read a few that have really caught my attention.
The two essays were a great introduction to the course. I now feel like I have a general idea of how the writers each looked at Harlem at this point in history, and they seem like two of the most reliable sources on the topic. As I've said I'm greatly looking forward to this class, it's not a major requirement for me but a lib ed requirement, but I really chose it out of recreation and my own desire to learn about something that interests me. Unfortunately I can't say that that was the reason I took too many other classes I've taken in college! That should prove to make this an especially refreshing experience. Until next time.
J
In this case my concept is easy to choose because it's for a class! I think I'm going to enjoy this because now I'll know what it's like keeping a blog and maybe finally start my own. I'm enjoying the class, it's honestly the one I was looking most forward to out of the 5 I'm taking this semester. I'm a communications major and have never taken only one other literature course in my years at St. Rose. It was called Re-writing Africa, so there's an obvious connection between that class and this one! That class was focused on stories by writers that were actually based in Africa however.
The Harlem Renaissance has always interested me from a musical standpoint, so it will be great to now venture into the literature. I have especially always wanted to read the works of Langston Hughes. Unfortunately the syllabis indicates that we won't get around to him until November, but I may take a look in his book of poems a little earlier than that. I've already read a few that have really caught my attention.
The two essays were a great introduction to the course. I now feel like I have a general idea of how the writers each looked at Harlem at this point in history, and they seem like two of the most reliable sources on the topic. As I've said I'm greatly looking forward to this class, it's not a major requirement for me but a lib ed requirement, but I really chose it out of recreation and my own desire to learn about something that interests me. Unfortunately I can't say that that was the reason I took too many other classes I've taken in college! That should prove to make this an especially refreshing experience. Until next time.
J
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