Introduction
At the beginning of the 20th century, the black population had to assess that they became the plaything of history and they did not have a bearing on their position in society. First of all, the African-Americans had to change their self-conception and their self-perception to achieve a special position in society as an individual. In these years, the black intellectuals were profoundly convinced that the new awareness of the Negro would mark a Renaissance in the history of the African-Americans.
The discovery respectively the awareness about personal values, the newfound self-confidence on the one hand and the search for respect and appreciativeness on the other hand formed the base to create a new identity of the black population. Associated processes in politics, arts and especially in literature mobilized the creative strengths of many artists who lived primarily in Harlem at that time.
At the beginning of this work, I want to look at theories about the term of the New Negro written by Booker T. Washington, W.E.B. Du Bois and Alain Locke. After that I want to illustrate the changed awareness and the soul of the New Negro with the help of selected poems written by Claude McKay. By doing so I want to show and highlight different aspects that the New Negro of the Harlem Renaissance embodied. The poems of Claude McKay, which were published in 1917, already dealt with the topic of the New Negro and therefore Claude McKay was believed to be a forerunner and the new voice of the Negro literature before the Harlem Renaissance had begun. The new self-image of the African-Americans, which was based on the pride of the own race, was not protected against the permanent discriminations initiated by the white population in America. None other could embody and process the ambivalence between the ideal and the reality in the United States as good as Claude McKay.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- The Harlem Renaissance – history of origins
- Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois about the New Negro
- Alain Locke about the New Negro
- The New Negro in the poems written by Claude McKay
- The militant New Negro
- McKay's universal opinion about the color problem
- The return to African traditions
- Between the identities
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper aims to explore the concept of the "New Negro" during the Harlem Renaissance, focusing on its representation in the poetry of Claude McKay. It examines the historical context of the Harlem Renaissance, analyzing the perspectives of key figures like Booker T. Washington, W.E.B. Du Bois, and Alain Locke on this evolving identity. The analysis then delves into McKay's poetry to illustrate the multifaceted nature of the "New Negro," highlighting the complexities and contradictions inherent in this new self-perception.
- The historical context and origins of the Harlem Renaissance.
- The evolving concept of the "New Negro" as articulated by various intellectuals.
- The portrayal of the "New Negro" in Claude McKay's poetry.
- The complexities and contradictions within the "New Negro" identity.
- The influence of social and political factors on the development of the "New Negro" identity.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the paper by establishing the historical context of the early 20th century, where the African-American population grappled with their societal position and the need for a redefined self-image. It highlights the intellectual belief in a "New Negro" ushering in a renaissance for African Americans, emphasizing the interplay of newfound self-confidence and the pursuit of societal respect in shaping a new identity. The chapter outlines the paper's structure, focusing on the theories of Booker T. Washington, W.E.B. Du Bois, and Alain Locke, and subsequently illustrating the "New Negro" through selected poems by Claude McKay, aiming to showcase various aspects embodied by this new identity and establishing McKay's precursory role in the nascent Negro literature before the Harlem Renaissance's full emergence.
The Harlem Renaissance – history of origins: This chapter explores the origins and nature of the Harlem Renaissance, challenging the notion of it as a unified movement. It argues that the Renaissance was more of a shared mindset among Black intellectuals centered in Harlem, driven by a common goal of racial equality rather than a cohesive political ideology or shared past. The chapter details the roles of intellectuals associated with organizations like the NAACP and Urban League in nurturing young writers and connecting them with white publishers. It further analyzes the significant migration of African Americans to Harlem between 1915 and 1920, attributing it to economic hardship in the South and promises of better opportunities in the North, while also emphasizing the influence of discriminatory practices in the South in prompting this northward movement. This migration transformed Harlem into a hub of Black culture and a setting for the artistic expression of the era's experiences and struggles.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the main focus of this paper?
This paper explores the concept of the "New Negro" during the Harlem Renaissance, primarily through the lens of Claude McKay's poetry. It examines the historical context, the perspectives of key figures like Booker T. Washington, W.E.B. Du Bois, and Alain Locke, and analyzes how McKay's work portrays the multifaceted and often contradictory nature of this evolving identity.
What historical context is provided?
The paper provides a detailed historical context of the early 20th century, focusing on the socio-political climate affecting African Americans and their search for a redefined self-image. It examines the Great Migration, the roles of organizations like the NAACP and Urban League, and the intellectual currents leading to the Harlem Renaissance. The chapter on the Harlem Renaissance origins challenges the notion of it as a unified movement, highlighting its diverse intellectual contributions towards racial equality.
Who are the key figures discussed, and what are their perspectives?
The paper analyzes the perspectives of Booker T. Washington, W.E.B. Du Bois, and Alain Locke on the "New Negro." Their differing views on racial progress and self-determination are contrasted and contextualized within the historical moment. Claude McKay's poetry serves as a primary source for understanding how these intellectual currents manifested in artistic expression.
How is Claude McKay's poetry analyzed?
McKay's poetry is analyzed to illustrate the complexities of the "New Negro" identity. The analysis explores themes such as militant resistance, universal views on racial issues, the return to African traditions, and the internal conflicts arising from navigating multiple identities. The paper positions McKay as a pivotal figure in the development of early Black literature preceding the full flowering of the Harlem Renaissance.
What are the key themes explored?
Key themes explored include the historical context and origins of the Harlem Renaissance, the evolving concept of the "New Negro," the portrayal of the "New Negro" in McKay's poetry, the inherent complexities and contradictions within this identity, and the significant influence of social and political factors on its development.
What is the overall structure of the paper?
The paper follows a structured approach. It begins with an introduction that sets the stage and outlines the scope of the analysis. It then delves into the historical context of the Harlem Renaissance, exploring the perspectives of influential intellectuals. The core of the paper focuses on a close reading of Claude McKay's poetry, illustrating the various facets of the "New Negro" identity as expressed through his work. The paper concludes by summarizing its key findings.
- Citar trabajo
- Victoria Schneider (Autor), 2011, The New Negro of the Harlem Renaissance in the poems of Claude McKay, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/173675