Harlem Renaissance
The Harlem Renaissance, which lasted through the 1920’s and part of the 1930’s was a time when many black artists, through various artistic mediums brought to light the culture and struggles of black people during their time and in past history. One of the best known of these artists is Langston Hughes. His name even appears in pop culture references such as in the song “La Vie Bohéme” from the musical Rent. One of Hughes most famous poems is titled “I, too, sing America”. It refers to not just the time in which it was written but the history of people of African descent in America. The poem’s use of simple yet powerful words drives the meaning home and allows the complex meaning to shine. The rhythm of the poem is the rhythm of jazz and blues. This adds a musical quality to the free verse piece. Between the lines one can see …show more content…
An article titled "I, Too, Sing America": Jazz and Blues Techniques and Effects in Some of Langston Hughes 's Selected Poems” by Lionel Davidas explains how Hughes poem uses jazz and blues as part of its essence. Jazz and blues have their roots in the African American community and Hughes use of the devices of jazz and blues is appropriate for a piece that talks about both the present situation for people of that community and their own roots (Davidas 267-268). Hughes uses many of the same methods that writers of jazz and blues use. The repetitions that Hughes uses are used in jazz music (Davidas 267). Anyone who has listened to jazz music, whether it was instrumental or vocal, had to notice that themes are often repeated in the music even if those themes are slightly altered with each repetition. For instance, sometimes the same notes will be played in a higher key. “I, too, sing America” also reflects jazz and blues in that the lines are varying in length (Davidas 268). For
The Harlem Renaissance, which lasted through the 1920’s and part of the 1930’s was a time when many black artists, through various artistic mediums brought to light the culture and struggles of black people during their time and in past history. One of the best known of these artists is Langston Hughes. His name even appears in pop culture references such as in the song “La Vie Bohéme” from the musical Rent. One of Hughes most famous poems is titled “I, too, sing America”. It refers to not just the time in which it was written but the history of people of African descent in America. The poem’s use of simple yet powerful words drives the meaning home and allows the complex meaning to shine. The rhythm of the poem is the rhythm of jazz and blues. This adds a musical quality to the free verse piece. Between the lines one can see …show more content…
An article titled "I, Too, Sing America": Jazz and Blues Techniques and Effects in Some of Langston Hughes 's Selected Poems” by Lionel Davidas explains how Hughes poem uses jazz and blues as part of its essence. Jazz and blues have their roots in the African American community and Hughes use of the devices of jazz and blues is appropriate for a piece that talks about both the present situation for people of that community and their own roots (Davidas 267-268). Hughes uses many of the same methods that writers of jazz and blues use. The repetitions that Hughes uses are used in jazz music (Davidas 267). Anyone who has listened to jazz music, whether it was instrumental or vocal, had to notice that themes are often repeated in the music even if those themes are slightly altered with each repetition. For instance, sometimes the same notes will be played in a higher key. “I, too, sing America” also reflects jazz and blues in that the lines are varying in length (Davidas 268). For