Modernism / Harlem Renaissance 1915 - 1945

Modernism Historical Context Overwhelming technological changes WWI – first war of mass distruction Grief over loss of past Fear of eroding traditions Rise of youth culture

Genre / Style Dominant mood: alienation/disconnection Writing highly experimental Use of fragments, stream of conciousness, interior dialogue Writers seek to create a unique style

Modernist Writers Earnest Hemingway F. Scott Fitzgerald William Faulkner John Steinbeck Robert Frost Etc.

Harlem Renaissance Historical Context Offshoot of Modernism Took place during the 1920’s Time after WWI – mood of terrible anxiety and despair Called High Modernism, The Jazz Age, The Roaring 20’s, and the time of Prohibition of Alcohol At the time was called the New Negro Renaissance

HR – Historical Cont. 1920’s Aftermath of WWI (1914 – 1918) Called the Red Scare of 1919 Prohibition Terrified of anarchists, socialists, communists, etc. because there were serious bombings in New York. Spread of Socialism in Europe Summer of 1919 violence began to be transferred to the African Amer. population.

HR – Historical Cont. There were many lynchings But African Americans were fighting back this time Resurrection of the KKK Many African Americans lost their jobs when whites came back from war. Many militant and pragmatic peoples

HR - Style Did not want to express anxiety and despair like the modernists Felt more optimistic and hopeful Trying to establish respect for the African American race Literature, music, and art flourished during this time

Harlem Ren. Writers Langston Hughes – most successful Countee Cullen – the “black Keats” Zora Neal Hurston – rediscovered by the women’s movement in the 70’s Jean Toomer – “Cane” regarded as one of the most influential works of the era Claude McKay – poetry evokes the heritage of his native Jamaica