The Harlem Renaissance: Langston Hughes And Zora Neal Hursto

The Harlem Renaissance (s): Langston Hughes and Zora Neal Hurston

Though many identify this period with Harlem in New York City, there are some who claim that the movement was born in Washington D.C. This is a time in American history where African American art, literature, and music flourished. Thanks to this period, African American voices began to be recognized as valuable and significant contributors to American culture. However, the "Negroe" was still considered a second-class citizen, and the struggle is evident in most of the works you will read in this lesson. Perhaps, some of the best-known authors of this period are Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston.

You will be reading samples of their work. Langston Hughes is known for his poems written during the Harlem Renaissance, where he utilized jazz poetry—a genre informed by jazz music, responding to and reflecting on jazz in his poetry. Poets.Org emphasizes Hughes’s influences, including Walt Whitman, Carl Sandburg, Paul Laurence Dunbar, and Claude McKay, which contributed to his unique voice that combined modernism, musicality, and the spirit of blues.

Reading Assignment: Read an introduction to Langston Hughes on Poetry.org and explore the poems “Dreams,” “Dream Variations,” “Po’ Boy Blues,” “The Weary Blues,” and “Let America Be American Again,” the last influenced by Walt Whitman.

Zora Neal Hurston made her mark in literary history by claiming multiple awards in 1925 at a literary awards dinner sponsored by Opportunity magazine. Her major works include the short story “Sweat,” which was first published in the Harlem Renaissance literary magazine Fire in November 1926. “Sweat” exemplifies Hurston’s concern with women’s language, the black vernacular, and her exploration of women’s experiences with resilience and struggle.

Reading Assignment: Cheryl A. Wall’s book “Sweat” explores the story’s themes and significance. It exemplifies Hurston’s focus on women, language, and identity within African American culture.

Discussion Board Assignment

Choose one work from any of the poets or authors—Eliot, Auden, Hughes, or Hurston—and write a short essay of at least 300 words. Explain why people today can relate to the chosen poem or short story. Your post should reflect the depth of your understanding and be of high quality, as it is a Gordon Rule assignment. Reply to at least three classmates with 30-40 word comments to earn full credit.

Paper For Above instruction

The Harlem Renaissance, spanning the 1930s and 1940s, was a pivotal period in American cultural history that elevated African American literature, music, and art. Central figures such as Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston contributed profoundly to this movement, using their creative voice to depict the African American experience, resilience, and cultural identity amidst societal struggles. This essay explores the significance of their works and examines why contemporary audiences continue to relate to them.

Langston Hughes emerged as a leading poet of the Harlem Renaissance, renowned for his jazz poetry—a genre that encapsulated the essence of jazz music through rhythmic and musical language. Hughes’s poetry reflects themes of dreams, racial injustice, and hope, resonating with audiences both during his time and today. His poem “Dreams,” for instance, emphasizes the importance of holding onto aspirations despite adversity, a message that remains universally relevant. The rhythmic cadence and musicality Hughes employed evoke a sense of collective cultural memory that transcends time, fostering a connection between past and present listeners.

Similarly, Hughes’s “Let America Be America Again” expresses a yearning for freedom and equality, echoing ongoing struggles for civil rights and racial justice. The poem’s call for an America that lives up to its ideals continues to inspire modern social movements. Hughes’s integration of jazz elements into his poetry also imbued his works with a feeling of authenticity and cultural pride, making his words resonate across generations. His portrayal of African American life and aspirations offers an empowering message of perseverance, which remains deeply relevant in contemporary society.

Zora Neale Hurston’s work, particularly her short story “Sweat,” highlights the resilience of women and the importance of language and culture in shaping identity. “Sweat” narrates the story of Delia, a Black woman enduring hardships in a hostile environment, yet maintaining her dignity and strength. Hurston’s use of vernacular speech captures the richness and authenticity of Black cultural expression, making her characters’ struggles and triumphs relatable across different eras. Today, the themes of economic hardship, domestic abuse, and resilience resonate with audiences, as these issues persist in various forms.

Furthermore, Hurston’s portrayal of women’s empowerment and independence reflects ongoing dialogues about gender roles and societal expectations. Her focus on African American vernacular and cultural pride fosters a sense of community and identity that many contemporary readers find empowering. The story’s depiction of perseverance in the face of adversity provides hope and inspiration, illustrating that resilience is a universal attribute transcending time and circumstance.

Both Hughes and Hurston served as voices of their community, advocating for racial equality and cultural pride through their artistry. Their works continue to be relevant because they articulate enduring human experiences—dreams, struggles, resilience, and hope—that resonate across generations. Modern readers find connection in these themes as they navigate ongoing social challenges, making the Harlem Renaissance legacy not just a historical moment, but a continuing source of inspiration. Their art reminds us of the power of storytelling to foster understanding, empathy, and social change.

References

• Hughes, L. (1994). The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes. University of Missouri Press.
• Hurston, Z. N. (1994). Dust Tracks on a Road. HarperOne.
• Wall, C. A. (1997). Sweat. Rutgers University Press.
• Rhodes, J. (2001). Harlem Renaissance: Art of Black America. Smithsonian Institution.
• Lott, T. (2008). Love and Theft: Blackface Minstrelsy in America. Oxford University Press.
• Hughes, L. (1951). The Weary Blues. Alfred A. Knopf.
• Gates Jr., H. L. (2011). The Signifying Monkey: A Theory of African-American Literary Criticism. Oxford University Press.
• McDowell, R. (2002). The Harlem Renaissance. Wordsworth Editions.
• Valdés, M. (2000). Converging Literatures: African American and Latino Literary Intersections. University of Illinois Press.
• Roediger, D. R. (1991). The Wages of Whiteness: Race and the Making of the American Working Class. Verso.