The Harlem Renaissance Harlem Primarily African American neighborhood

The Harlem Renaissance Harlem = Primarily African American neighborhood in NYC Renaissance = rebirth or revival

About Modernism: 1914 -1939 n WWI shatters faith in the American Dream n People migrating to the cities/overcrowding n Women gain more social/political power n Prohibition in full swing n Great period of prosperity, followed by the Great Depression n The Harlem Renaissance is considered part of the Modern literature movement

Read the information provided about the Harlem Renaissance and Zora Neale Hurston. Answer the following questions once you have completed your notes. 1) What was happening culturally and economically in the 1920’s that allowed the Harlem Renaissance to flourish? 2) How did the Harlem Renaissance change or influence American culture? 3) List the 5 most interesting facts from Hurston’s biography.

About the Harlem Renaissance n Rise in African American cultural expression in NYC from 1920 – 1939 n Celebrated the African American experience in music, art and literature n Created exciting new forms of music (jazz; more syncopated rhythms, scat) n Ended when the Great Depression depleted the financial support available to young artists

Harlem Renaissance Literature n Literature focused on black life n Departure from the slave literature that previously dominated black writing n Addressed issues of race, class, religion, and gender n Affirmation that black dialects were as legitimate as standard English n Struggled with keeping authentic voice while making their work commercial

Harlem Newspaper Harlem Journal Portrait of Langston Hughes

Harlem Renaissance Writers n Countee Cullen (poet who was influenced by the English Romantic writers) n Langston Hughes (poet who used unconventional forms, free verse, and the rhythms of jazz in his work) n Zora Neale Hurston (wrote fiction, folklore, and musical revues on black culture, and inspired the work of Alice Walker and Toni Morrison. )

Romare Beardon

Zora Neale Hurston (1891 -1960) n n n Born to poor family; began supporting herself as a young teen Published first story at 20; moved to NYC to attend Barnard College. Developed interest in folklore and anthropology Criticized for celebrating life of African Americans Died broke in a Florida welfare home

More on Their Eyes… Written in three different voices: poetic voice, narrator’s voice and Janie’s voice 2. Frame Story: Begins at the end 1.

Their Eyes Were Watching God Novel Structure’s 4 units: • Janie’s early years with grandmother • Nanny’s story, Janie’s loss of childhood, and brief 1 st marriage. • Marriage to Joe Starks (mule incident) • Tea Cake and the Everglades.

Their Eyes Were Watching God Eatonville: • Actual town 5 miles north of Orlando • Oldest surviving municipality in U. S. • Over 100 black towns founded between 1865 -1900; 12 remain including Eatonville.

Their Eyes Were Watching God The Book… • Opens with a focus on judgment. • Novel is about Janie’s search for unconditional love. • Search results in her independence.

Their Eyes Were Watching God Watch for references to… • Sun • Horizon • Mules • Time • Death • Dreams • Pear tree and blossoms