The Renaissance And Racism During The Harlem Renaissance

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Recommended: William Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily”

During the Harlem Renaissance many historical events, that was deemed to be catastrophic, affected the way that many individuals wrote causing a break in traditional writing. Such events includes a devastating war, economic depression, and even a change in society. That break in tradition is known as Modernism. Modernism is a way to look at things in a new way. As Ezra Pound said, “Make it new!” (Moodle notes). During this time period, Langston Hughes created many poetry that captures the spirit of the blues music. This gave life to a new style of writing poetry which portrayed the struggles of the African American community. Langston Hughes acquired the title of being one of the most influential image of the Harlem Renaissance.

Langston …show more content…

Because of the racism in the South the African Americans migrated to the North for a better life. This migration is known as the The Great Migration. Because of this, many African American writers incorporated racism into their literary works. One of my favorite short stories which portrayed racism was William Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily”. Faulkner attempt to convey racism is made clear in “A Rose for Emily”. “They were admitted by the old Negro into a dim hall from which a stairway mounted into still more shadow” (Faulkner 84). This use of the derogatory term “negro” distinctly shows the author’s intentions. Mr. Faulkner undoubtedly emanates the experience of the African Americans in the time period that this story was written because he is able to display how stripped of their individuality they were. By using the terms “negro” or “nigger” to describe African Americans, people were stripping them of their human qualities, what made them who they were. This was so harsh that in some cases African Americans became “property” to some, which Mr. Faulkner was able to portray. Mr. Faulkner’s use of these derogatory terms helps to explain what African Americans suffered through in the …show more content…

Women had no rights, and were belittled day after day. In the story itself, the only African-American character in the story is scarcely referenced by name, but is referred to throughout the story as "the Negro." The nameless character has barely no lines, and his only interaction with the white characters is very restricted. Here Faulkner shows how low and unworthy these people were deemed by Southern culture, and how many of them went almost unnoticed as actual human beings. The unnamed Negro also disappears near the end of the novel, just as the body of Emily 's former love is located, obviously fearing that he might be blamed for the murder.

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