The Harlem Renaissance: Langston Hughes and Claude McKay
The Harlem Renaissance exposed some of the most passionate, intellectual literature written. Langston Hughes poem “Harlem” and Claude McKay poem “If we must die” contributes to this Renaissance movement. These two authors approach to action are different but share a common theme; hope. They are very talented writers that gave a voice to their community and are prime examples of Harlem Renaissance authors. One author shows it by visualizing despair and the other using strong inspiriting imagery. By comparison they have different approaches towards the Renaissance, but still sharing a central idea of hope.
The poem Harlem, approaches the reader to look for hope when dreams are deferred. …show more content…
The approach in McKay poem have a liberating view. He writes, “O let us nobly die, so that our precious blood may not be shed” (694). He ensures the community the cause is noble; deserving of themselves. That their very own existence is precious and their blood has purpose of value. Embedding hope into them so they me see they have a right of equality. McKay write “though far outnumbered let us show us brave, and for their thousand blow deal one deathblow” (694). Understanding the opposing force is much greater and to the individual overwhelming. The writer knows though unity a difference can be made and have a mighty impact. No matter how great the numbers are or how uneven the odds may seem, keep the spirit indomitable. Mustering up his kinsman to take …show more content…
Creating a poem that was relatable to people living in the inner city. The author write “Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun” (506). Challenging his audience to think about the absence of hope. Does their ambition within shrivels up when hope is deferred or the loss becomes such a heavy burden because the vision is lost. “Maybe it just sags like a heavy load” (506). Sometimes when a person cannot get out of a situation or very little help is present, it may feel like to that person they are carrying a heavy load. Either that individual is going to give up completely and let that dream shrivel. Or they will persevere and keep striving to see that better opportunities become a reality. Developing similes to question the community of blacks of his day. What will be the outcome if everyone just let their ambition shrivel up and not take any action? There could be no movement which would have meant no change. It is using reverse phycology for motivation, in return, hope would not be given up. Langston Hughes wanted the black community not to give up their hopes and dreams and he did it by showing them what could happen if they
The Harlem Renaissance exposed some of the most passionate, intellectual literature written. Langston Hughes poem “Harlem” and Claude McKay poem “If we must die” contributes to this Renaissance movement. These two authors approach to action are different but share a common theme; hope. They are very talented writers that gave a voice to their community and are prime examples of Harlem Renaissance authors. One author shows it by visualizing despair and the other using strong inspiriting imagery. By comparison they have different approaches towards the Renaissance, but still sharing a central idea of hope.
The poem Harlem, approaches the reader to look for hope when dreams are deferred. …show more content…
The approach in McKay poem have a liberating view. He writes, “O let us nobly die, so that our precious blood may not be shed” (694). He ensures the community the cause is noble; deserving of themselves. That their very own existence is precious and their blood has purpose of value. Embedding hope into them so they me see they have a right of equality. McKay write “though far outnumbered let us show us brave, and for their thousand blow deal one deathblow” (694). Understanding the opposing force is much greater and to the individual overwhelming. The writer knows though unity a difference can be made and have a mighty impact. No matter how great the numbers are or how uneven the odds may seem, keep the spirit indomitable. Mustering up his kinsman to take …show more content…
Creating a poem that was relatable to people living in the inner city. The author write “Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun” (506). Challenging his audience to think about the absence of hope. Does their ambition within shrivels up when hope is deferred or the loss becomes such a heavy burden because the vision is lost. “Maybe it just sags like a heavy load” (506). Sometimes when a person cannot get out of a situation or very little help is present, it may feel like to that person they are carrying a heavy load. Either that individual is going to give up completely and let that dream shrivel. Or they will persevere and keep striving to see that better opportunities become a reality. Developing similes to question the community of blacks of his day. What will be the outcome if everyone just let their ambition shrivel up and not take any action? There could be no movement which would have meant no change. It is using reverse phycology for motivation, in return, hope would not be given up. Langston Hughes wanted the black community not to give up their hopes and dreams and he did it by showing them what could happen if they