Language and Literature
It has been argued that the Harlem Renaissance is the defining moment in African American literature because of a bizarre outburst of creative activity among black writers. The importance of this movement to African American literary art lies in the efforts of its writers to promote the heritage of African Americans and to use their unique culture as a means toward re-defining African American literary expression. Among the poets, fiction writers, and essayists were Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen, Claude McKay, and Zora Neale Hurston. With more opportunities for artistic self-determination, the writers of the Harlem Renaissance produced a wide variety of work, exploring popular themes such as hostility and nonconformity. Several writers, including Hughes and Hurston, relied particularly on the rich folk tradition, such as oral culture, folktales, black dialect, and jazz and blues composition, to create eccentric literary masterpieces. Other writers, such as Cullen and McKay wrote within more conventional literary genres as a way to capture what they saw as the growing culture and sophistication of African Americans. The literature of the Harlem Renaissance reflects the multiple ways that black experience in America was perceived and expressed in the early twentieth century. -DB
It has been argued that the Harlem Renaissance is the defining moment in African American literature because of a bizarre outburst of creative activity among black writers. The importance of this movement to African American literary art lies in the efforts of its writers to promote the heritage of African Americans and to use their unique culture as a means toward re-defining African American literary expression. Among the poets, fiction writers, and essayists were Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen, Claude McKay, and Zora Neale Hurston. With more opportunities for artistic self-determination, the writers of the Harlem Renaissance produced a wide variety of work, exploring popular themes such as hostility and nonconformity. Several writers, including Hughes and Hurston, relied particularly on the rich folk tradition, such as oral culture, folktales, black dialect, and jazz and blues composition, to create eccentric literary masterpieces. Other writers, such as Cullen and McKay wrote within more conventional literary genres as a way to capture what they saw as the growing culture and sophistication of African Americans. The literature of the Harlem Renaissance reflects the multiple ways that black experience in America was perceived and expressed in the early twentieth century. -DB
Langston Hughes
Langston Hughes enrolled in Columbia University in New York but did not remain there long; he abandoned his studies to pursue jazz and blues. He moved to Harlem and worked odd jobs to make a living. He traveled extensively, as far as Paris, France, Italy and West Africa. It was during this time that he established his reputation as a respected and gifted African-American poet. His most famous poems can be found in The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes. He also wrote several novels, including The Ways of White Folks, Jim Crow's Last Stand, Montage of a Dream Deferred, and I Wonder As I Wander.
-DB Bad Morning
Here I sit With my shoes mismated. Lawdy-mercy! I's frustrated! Langston Hughes |
50-50
I’m all alone in this world, she said, Ain’t got nobody to share my bed, Ain’t got nobody to hold my hand— The truth of the matter’s I ain’t got no man. Big Boy opened his mouth and said, Trouble with you is You ain’t got no head! If you had a head and used your mind You could have me with you All the time. She answered, Babe, what must I do? He said, Share your bed— And your money, too. Langston Hughes |
The Invention of Slang
With the 1920s came the invention of slang, known as "Harlemese." Harlemese was not only an indicator of the poor education of the black community, it was beautiful body of language that demonstrated black pride and growth as a community. The vocabulary of Harlemese developed largely out of everyday social and political experience but also out of such musical genres such as blues and jazz. The language influenced the literary voices and works of Harlem Renaissance writers. The list is a small example of the era's colorful slang. -DB
1920's Slang
Handcuff - an engagement ring
Edge - intoxication
Bimbo - a tough guy
Joe - coffee
Cheaters - Eyeglasses
Check - kiss me later
Dogs - feet
Kelt- a white person.
Gams - A woman's legs
Lap- liquor.
Iron - a motorcycle
Big Cheese - The most important or influential person; the boss
Sap - a fool
Tomato - a female
Whoopee - To have a good time
Unsheiking- a woman trying to get a divorce
Working moll- a prostitute.
Funkey - the odor of perspiration, as a funkey old man.
Handcuff - an engagement ring
Edge - intoxication
Bimbo - a tough guy
Joe - coffee
Cheaters - Eyeglasses
Check - kiss me later
Dogs - feet
Kelt- a white person.
Gams - A woman's legs
Lap- liquor.
Iron - a motorcycle
Big Cheese - The most important or influential person; the boss
Sap - a fool
Tomato - a female
Whoopee - To have a good time
Unsheiking- a woman trying to get a divorce
Working moll- a prostitute.
Funkey - the odor of perspiration, as a funkey old man.