Angela W. Grimke was born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1880 (Modern American Poetry). She was an only child and lived with her father. She attended a number of schools in Massachusetts and one in Minnesota (Modern American Poetry). She is famous for writing poetry and journals, including her most famous journal,

Abig

ail M

uro

CA

P E

nglis

h 9A

Red

Gro

up11

/14/

2013

The Harlem Renaissance,A Visitor’s Guide

Archibald J. Motley Jr., “Nightlife”

HISTORY/OVERVIEWThe Harlem Renaissance lasted from directly after World War I to the mid-1930s (PAL). It is known for its unique novels, poetry books, paintings, and sculptures (African American Odyssey). The Harlem Renaissance was a literary movement, however it included racial consciousness and integration (PAL).

Themes and IdeasCommon themes during the Harlem Renaissance included alienation or isolation, marginality, the use of folk material, and the development of jazz and blues, and problems with writing for an elite audience that considered themselves better (PAL). A popular idea during the time period was “twoness”

ART/MUSIC/WRITINGMurals, poetry, and paintings as well as jazz and blues were the primary art forms during the Harlem Renaissance, or the “New Negro Movement” as it came to be known. African American poets, muralists, paintings, and musicians became popular during this time period.

Well Known Artists and ArtworksThere were some prominent artists from the time period, especially poets, muralists, and painters all of whose work demonstrated the Harlem Renaissance. Sterling Brown developed a new kind of poetry where the poems were pessimistic (poets). Aaron Douglas was a muralist and a painter who painted murals for buildings and also illustration for publications such as Opportunity and The Crisis (eyecon art). Other painters from the time period

Archibald J. Motley Jr.

Archibald J. Motley Jr., “The Jazz Singers”

SOCIAL IMPACTThe Harlem Renaissance influenced generations of writers, artists, and musicians, especially African Americans, including Robert Hayden and Gwendolyn Brooks (poets). Robert Hayden went on to write one of his most famous poems “The Whipping.” Gwendolyn Brooks won a Pulitzer prize for her book of poetry entitled, Annie Allen. The movement stimulated writing from African Americans and fostered racial pride (Yale). The writers, artists, and musicians of the Harlem Renaissance served as examples for promising African Americans.

Palmer C. Hayden, “Midsummer Night in Harlem”