1. The Harlem Renaissance and Modernism
What do you know about this time period? Take 2-3 minutes and list all things that come to mind.

2. World War I -1914-1918 Greatly influenced writers
In Farewell to Arms Hemingway writes, “Words such as glory, honor, courage, or hallow were obscene.”
Machine guns, poison gas, airplane bombers, submarines
32 Nations were involved and over 20 million deaths were attributed to this war.
Idealism was replaced with hedonism, political corruption and ruthless businessmen.

3. Jazz Age-The Roaring 20’s
Americans were disillusioned with traditional values and sought happiness in news ways.
Spending money
Leisure
Rebelling against elders
F. Scott Fitzgerald referred to the period as “the greatest, gaudiest spree in history.”

4. New Roles for Women 1920- 19th amendment allows women to vote
Flappers emerged casting aside old dress and values. They embraced short skirts, short hair, jazz music, disdain for “acceptable behavior.”
In 1930 ten million women had entered the workforce gaining independence and freedom from social constraints.

5. The Great Depression The Stock Market crash of 1929
25 percent of Americans were unemployed
The 1930’s dust bowl/drought left even more hungry and in despair.
1932 Franklin Delano Roosevelt promised a New Deal program. This offered relief to the hungry, homeless, agriculture business, etc.
The massive spending and production on WWII ultimately brought economic relief.

6. Cultural Influences
Media- American life is being shaped by media for the first time. New goods were being advertised changing luxuries to necessities. (toasters, makeup, cars, etc.)
Mass production- Brought goods and services quickly to Americans. Identity is lost with machines and production lines.

7. Modern Literature and the harlem Renaissance
Poets began to explore:
the changing norms in society
The uncertainty of the individual
Perceived crumbling social order
Loss of idealism (Many were expatriates living in Europe)
Loss of Individualism

8. Poetry
Imagism recreates images without commenting or interpreting them.
Objectivism- allows objects to speak for themselves

9. The Short Story gained fame
Mass publication made them readily available
Short attention spans
The need for publication to fill its pages

10. New Themes Wealthy and attractive people living empty lives
Harsh brutality of industrialization
Confusion
Alienation
Greed

11. Harlem Renaissance Black farmers migrate to urban areas such as Harlem
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is formed to create equality. They also published journals showcasing the writing of W.E. B. Du Bois, James Weldon Johnson, and Charles S. Johnson, Langston Hughes and more.
This sets a center stage for artistic, musical, and literary talents to merge and comingle drawing on their traditions and urban awareness.

12. Harlem Renaissance cont.
Many voices and styles- classical style, the pulse of Jazz rhythms, militant, etc.
Despite the differences, all of these writers shared the deep pride in their heritage and cultural identity.
The seeds planted in the Harlem Renaissance continue to influence and inspire today.