Harlem Renaissance

The Harlem Renaissance

By: Joshua Vandergriff

DBQ Statement: Was the Harlem Renaissance more than a literary movement and social revolt against racism?

Document 1: The Great Migration

What was it?

The great migration was a time at the begining of the 20th century in which case a large sum of the african american race fled north to escape the brutal hardships of the south "Jim-Crow" society.

Document 2: Image Analysis

Image: Apartment Rental Sign

Artist: Aaron Siskind

Analysis: The photograph exploits heavily on the details of segregation. Using the form of black and white photography, the photographer shows the distinct difference and level of seperation between the african americans and the whites as this was a time of hate, distrust, and lack of the close knit society we know today.

Document 3: Toni Morrison

Toni Morrison's Statement: A novel should present a problem toa reader but not solve them.

My thought: I personally beleive that the use of the novel is to have the reader be involved and to use their own expierience and ideas to solve the problems that are presented as well as make their own. So i agree with Toni's statement that the reader should establish their own thoughts and opinions to find a resolution to the problems.

Document 4/5: Culture, impact, and the Rise of the Renissance.

The Renissance was a time in which the african american culture was undergoing a racial revolution. At this time, the culture was a "White" dominate society, even though the 13th ammendment was passed. Though the newly settled North did hold more promise for the negro race, society still saw them as a lesser being. Through the use and rise of new powerful icons during and post this era, the african american society will begin to flourish and develop its own barren roots.

Document 6: Poetry Analysis

Poet: Langston Hughes

Poem: A Dream Deffered

What happens to a dream deferred?

Does it dry up

like a raisin in the sun?

Or fester like a sore--

And then run?

Does it stink like rotten meat?

Or crust and sugar over--

like a syrupy sweet?

Maybe it just sags

like a heavy load.

Or does it explode?

Analysis: At the time of the harlem renissance, the ideas of dreams and newly found creativities are evolving in african american society, but this was not the case by all those envolved. Many people were mentally, and emotionally beaten by the struggling society for equality. I beleive what Mr. Hughes is trying to establish is what a dream is in connection to the dreamer. If they pursue it, it may become true despite the hardships. If not, it will "Dry up like a raisin in the sun" as he stated in his poem.

Document 7: Quote Analysis

Author: Langston Hughes

Quote"Melting pot Harlem—Harlem of honey and chocolate and caramel and rum and vinegar and lemon and lime and gall. Dusky dream Harlem rumbling into a nightmare tunnel where the subway from the Bronx keeps right on downtown."

Analysis: I beleive what Langston is trying to establish is that there are many embodyments in the harlem "Culture" but he is also showing the fear of racism and segregation as a nightmare that cannot be forgotten as it is apart of that life.

In conclusion, I have a strong beleif that the harlem renaissance was indeed more than a social revoultion and a literary movement. It was a time for a rise in culture, a time of exploration through fine arts and a modern lifestyle despite the hard transgressions that were in there path. The african americans became a embodied union that strove for change.

Thank You!!!

Document 4/5: Culture, Impact, And the Rise of the Harlem Renaissance.