JEAN TOOMER HARLEM RENAISSANCE TEACHING PROJECT Melisa Camdzic

JEAN TOOMER Although Toomer was only about 12% Black, he was highly immersed in the African American community : University of Wisconsin, Massachusetts College of Agriculture, American College of Physical Training in Chicago, University of Chicago, New York University, and City College of New York Attempted to join the military, rejected for poor eyesight Briefly studied to become a musician Greenwich Village,1918: begins writing poetry and short stories Works: Cane (1923) The Gallowerps” (1927) “Transatlantic” (1929) “Caromb” (1932) Essentials (1931) Born: Washington, District of Columbia, United States 26 December 1894 Died: Doylestown, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States 30 March 1967 Activity/Profession: Fiction Writer, Philosopher, Poet

RELEVANCE TO THE HARLEM RENAISSANCE Jean Toomer was a significant writer during the Harlem Renaissance. The poems and stories in his first novel, Cane, which addressed the life and emotions of African Americans, was an inspiration to many Harlem Renaissance writers. However, he did not want to be identified as an African-American poet. As mentioned in “Blue Meridian”, he dreamt of a world where race did not matter.

SONG OF THE SUN Theme Reminiscing slavery Tone Calm Hopeful Technique Allusion Anaphora Figurative Imagery Rhyme scheme: ABBAA

GEORGIA DUSK Theme Importance of music to the African-American community Tone Upbeat Technique Alliteration Imagery Metaphor Mood Rhyme Scheme ABBA Setting Simile Symbolism/Synecdoche

THE BLUE MERIDIAN Theme Dreaming of a racial unity Tone Hopeful Technique Allusion Anaphora Dialogue Free verse Symbolism