Langston Hughes and Countee Cullen: Perspective on Religion
American Literature II Authors:
Langston Hughes and Countee Cullen: Perspective on Religion
Susan Glaspell and Charlotte Gilman: Roles of Women
W.E.B Du Bois and Booker T Washington: Political View
In the 1920s, the somewhat genteel world of American poetry was shaken to its foundations when the Harlem Renaissance started. During those times, all over the United States, there was an outburst of strong black voices, writing with African-American cadences and rhythms. Moreover, during that period, generally different and diverse subject matters and styles subsisted in poetry. Furthermore, the blues and jazz clubs in Harlem served as an opportunity for the up-and-coming Black writers who wrote to increase the awareness of the Negro people and inculcate pride in their African heritage. Among these writers were Countee Cullen and Langston Hughes. These writers employed the political, religious, and social facets of the African American happenings as springboard for poetic illustration. Nevertheless, these two writers differ in their life influences, style, and language usage.
A proclaimed poet of the Harlem Renaissance, Countee Cullen, uses his poem, Yet Do I Marvel, to send a very strong and passionate message. The poem is a first-person monologue in which a Black poet, indistinguishable from Cullen, voices doubt and confusion about the world, about the relationship between God and man, and about this particular poet's place in the world. No audience is addressed directly. The poet begins by professing his belief in a God who is all-good, good-intentioned and almighty. He also affirms that God has reasons for everything that happens in the world, even if these reasons are often difficult for humans to understand. In particular, the poet wonders why such an all-good Supreme Being could allow things like physical disabilities and death.
In the two
Langston Hughes and Countee Cullen: Perspective on Religion
Susan Glaspell and Charlotte Gilman: Roles of Women
W.E.B Du Bois and Booker T Washington: Political View
In the 1920s, the somewhat genteel world of American poetry was shaken to its foundations when the Harlem Renaissance started. During those times, all over the United States, there was an outburst of strong black voices, writing with African-American cadences and rhythms. Moreover, during that period, generally different and diverse subject matters and styles subsisted in poetry. Furthermore, the blues and jazz clubs in Harlem served as an opportunity for the up-and-coming Black writers who wrote to increase the awareness of the Negro people and inculcate pride in their African heritage. Among these writers were Countee Cullen and Langston Hughes. These writers employed the political, religious, and social facets of the African American happenings as springboard for poetic illustration. Nevertheless, these two writers differ in their life influences, style, and language usage.
A proclaimed poet of the Harlem Renaissance, Countee Cullen, uses his poem, Yet Do I Marvel, to send a very strong and passionate message. The poem is a first-person monologue in which a Black poet, indistinguishable from Cullen, voices doubt and confusion about the world, about the relationship between God and man, and about this particular poet's place in the world. No audience is addressed directly. The poet begins by professing his belief in a God who is all-good, good-intentioned and almighty. He also affirms that God has reasons for everything that happens in the world, even if these reasons are often difficult for humans to understand. In particular, the poet wonders why such an all-good Supreme Being could allow things like physical disabilities and death.
In the two
Cited: Glaspell, Susan. Trifles. The Norton Anthology of American Literature. Shorter 6th ed. Ed. 2003 Holstein, Suzy Lewis, David Levering. W.E.B. Du Bois; The Fight for Equality and the American Century, 1919-1963. New York: Henry Hold and Co., 2000. Marble, Manning Moore, Jack B. W.E.B. Du Bois.Boston: Twayne, 1981. Other works by Washington: The Future of the American Negro (1899) and The Story of My Life and Work (1900) The Heath Anthology of American Literature: Volume C: Late Nineteenth Century 1865-1916 (5th Edition) by Paul Lauter, General Editor. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company, a division of Cengage Learning, 2006. The Heath Anthology of American Literature: Volume D: Modern Period 1910-1945 (5th Edition) by Paul Lauter, General Editor. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company, a division of Cengage Learning, 2006. The Heath Anthology of American Literature: Volume E: Contemporary Period 1945 to the Present (5th Edition) by Paul Lauter, General Editor. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company, a division of Cengage Learning, 2006.