Gwendolyn Brooks Research Paper
Gwendolyn Brooks was born on June 7, 1917, in Topeka Kansas. Her parents, who were extremely supportive of their only daughter’s avid passion for literature, worked in education and maintenance (poetryfoundation). In her early years, Brooks and her family moved to Chicago where she discovered her love for poetry as well as other literary genres. Brooks’ passion quickly developed into a career when she had her first poem, “Eventide”, published at the mere age of thirteen. Furthering her reputation as a teen author, Brooks went on to publish seventy five poems by the age of sixteen (poetryfoundation). Throughout Brooks’s secondary education she attended three high schools: Hyde Park High School, Wendell Phillips Academy High School, Englewood
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High School. Two of the listed schools were integrated. To continue her education, Brooks attended and graduated from Wilson Junior College. Attending a variety of schools opened her understanding of racial prejudice and its presence in different atmospheres and consequently impacted her writing. In 1939, just three years after Brooks graduated college, she married Henry Lowington Blakely Jr. The couple had two children, Henry and Nora. Brooks died of cancer on December 3, 2000 in her Chicago home(Gwendolyn Brooks biography.com). While her eighty three years are seemingly short, Brooks made a substantial impact in American literature.
As an influential author representing the black aesthetic, Brooks quickly gained recognition and praise for her works.
Brooks did not only resonate with the scholarly, but with the ordinary as well, “She has taught audiences that poetry is not some formal activity closed to all but the most perceptive. Rather, it is an art form within the reach and understanding of everybody--including the lowliest among us” (“Brooks' Life and Career.”) . However, that praise was met with a load of criticism directed towards her elements of protest that were misunderstood for angry tones. Nevertheless, Brooks continued to receive positive recognition. In 1943 Brooks received an award from the Midwestern Writer’s Conference for her various works. Continuing to break barriers, Brooks was the first African American to be awarded the prestigious Pulitzer Prize in 1950 for her book “Annie Allen”. Prior to 1950, Brooks also was formally awarded the Eunice Tietjens Prize by Poetry magazine, received a Guggenheim Fellowship, and in 1962 was asked to read at the Library of Congress by John F. Kennedy. (“Brooks' Life and Career.”) Brooks led a life of raising attention to the overlooked, breaking social constructs that were set in place for her, and creating outstanding works that touched the hearts of
many.
High School. Two of the listed schools were integrated. To continue her education, Brooks attended and graduated from Wilson Junior College. Attending a variety of schools opened her understanding of racial prejudice and its presence in different atmospheres and consequently impacted her writing. In 1939, just three years after Brooks graduated college, she married Henry Lowington Blakely Jr. The couple had two children, Henry and Nora. Brooks died of cancer on December 3, 2000 in her Chicago home(Gwendolyn Brooks biography.com). While her eighty three years are seemingly short, Brooks made a substantial impact in American literature.
As an influential author representing the black aesthetic, Brooks quickly gained recognition and praise for her works.
Brooks did not only resonate with the scholarly, but with the ordinary as well, “She has taught audiences that poetry is not some formal activity closed to all but the most perceptive. Rather, it is an art form within the reach and understanding of everybody--including the lowliest among us” (“Brooks' Life and Career.”) . However, that praise was met with a load of criticism directed towards her elements of protest that were misunderstood for angry tones. Nevertheless, Brooks continued to receive positive recognition. In 1943 Brooks received an award from the Midwestern Writer’s Conference for her various works. Continuing to break barriers, Brooks was the first African American to be awarded the prestigious Pulitzer Prize in 1950 for her book “Annie Allen”. Prior to 1950, Brooks also was formally awarded the Eunice Tietjens Prize by Poetry magazine, received a Guggenheim Fellowship, and in 1962 was asked to read at the Library of Congress by John F. Kennedy. (“Brooks' Life and Career.”) Brooks led a life of raising attention to the overlooked, breaking social constructs that were set in place for her, and creating outstanding works that touched the hearts of
many.