The paper compares Claude McKay's “Harlem Shadows” and Langston Hughes' “The Negro Speaks of Rivers” with regards to the topic of walking during the Harlem Renaissance.
The poems arise from the Harlem Renaissance and deal with the topic of racism and the oppression of the Blacks. Moreover, both poems include the theme of walking. Hughes and McKay, who write about their emotions and experiences with Blacks being oppressed by society, do not actually take a walk or journey in the poems, which will be further discussed in the following chapters. The selected pieces differ from each other in their style and the way the theme of walking is presented which has to be examined. In literature classes, one should draw attention on these works as they are different from common Walk Poems and deal with important topics.
The second chapter will have a closer look on the Harlem Renaissance. Apart from the historical background, emphasis will be put on the so-called “Negro-culture” in literature. The mentioned poems by McKay and Hughes will be analyzed with regards to the theme of walking. A conclusion summarizes the results and points out the importance of these literary works in the context of the Harlem Renaissance as well as the representation of Walk Poetry.
Table of Contents
1 INTRODUCTION
2 THE HARLEM RENAISSANCE
3 HARLEM SHADOWS BY CLAUDE MCKAY
3.1 ANALYSIS
3.2 WALKING IN HARLEM SHADOWS
4 THE NEGRO SPEAKS OF RIVERS BY LANGSTON HUGHES
4.1 ANALYSIS
4.2 WALKING IN THE NEGRO SPEAKS OF RIVERS
5 CONCLUSION
6 WORKS CITED
Research Objectives and Core Themes
This paper examines how Claude McKay's "Harlem Shadows" and Langston Hughes' "The Negro Speaks of Rivers" utilize the theme of walking—or the lack thereof—to represent the African American experience during the Harlem Renaissance. By analyzing these poems, the study explores how the authors move beyond traditional definitions of "Walk Poetry" to provide social commentary on history, identity, and the systemic oppression of Black communities.
- The historical and cultural context of the Harlem Renaissance.
- Literary analysis of Claude McKay’s portrayal of urban night life and prostitution in "Harlem Shadows."
- Literary analysis of Langston Hughes’ historical, ancestral journey in "The Negro Speaks of Rivers."
- Comparison of the unique stylistic approaches to "Walk Poetry" within the two works.
- The expression of Black identity and resistance against historical and social discrimination.
Excerpt from the Book
3.2 Walking in Harlem Shadows
In Harlem Shadows, the speaker is located in Harlem at night. One gets the impression as if the speaker is standing and not walking down a street. He rather observes the happenings and movements around him – he himself is not moving or walking as it would be usual in a Walk Poem. In Harlem Shadows it is the case that the colored prostitutes are on a walk through the night. The speaker notes the movements of the girls and reflects on the social standing of African Americans. A connection between the prostitutes and the search for the identity of African Americans is created. The speaker relates to this search as being a part of them and he shares their emotions and experiences. The hopelessness and prostitution of the colored girls make clear, that the Blacks are worthless for the Whites and used for desire.
McKay describes the girls moving very lively and fast at the beginning of the poem. One gets the impression that the whole setting is not that hopeless and dark at first. As the number of dark adjectives and bleak movements increases, it seems that the girls become more bitter, tired and desperate. It is a tragic walk which is observed by the speaker. With the image of tiredness or hopelessness, McKay refers to the social standing of African Americans in the US concerning poverty and prostitution. The walk is limited on the streets of Harlem, which reflects that the Africans Americans did not have the chance to move and life freely.
This walk can be transferred on the whole history of African Americans being oppressed and enslaved by the Whites in the US. In a figurative sense, the situation of the colored girls can stand for a historical walk of the African Americans as well. They experienced racism in the American South and sought for a better life in the North. This part of history can be transmitted to the first, vivid stanza. Yet, they were still confronted with rejection in Harlem and the surrounding areas. This is how the ongoing desperate night of the walking girls can be transferred on the African American experience with racism and slavery.
Summary of Chapters
1 INTRODUCTION: This chapter provides a historical context for the Harlem Renaissance and introduces the research focus on "Walk Poetry" as a means for poets to express the Black experience.
2 THE HARLEM RENAISSANCE: This section details the historical background of the movement, focusing on the Great Migration, racial discrimination in the South, and the emergence of "Negro Culture" in northern urban centers.
3 HARLEM SHADOWS BY CLAUDE MCKAY: This chapter analyzes McKay's poem regarding its formal structure and its thematic focus on the exploitation of women of color in urban Harlem.
3.1 ANALYSIS: This subsection examines the formal elements of the poem, such as its sonnet-like qualities, and interprets the imagery of night, darkness, and poverty.
3.2 WALKING IN HARLEM SHADOWS: This subsection discusses the specific role of movement within the poem, arguing that the prostitutes' walk symbolizes the constrained life of African Americans.
4 THE NEGRO SPEAKS OF RIVERS BY LANGSTON HUGHES: This chapter explores Hughes’ poem as a historical narrative, focusing on its free verse structure and ancestral themes.
4.1 ANALYSIS: This subsection focuses on the use of repetition, river metaphors, and the connection between the speaker’s soul and his ancestral history.
4.2 WALKING IN THE NEGRO SPEAKS OF RIVERS: This subsection redefines the walk in Hughes' work as a figurative, historical journey through time and geography, rather than a physical stroll.
5 CONCLUSION: The final chapter summarizes how both authors, despite their differences, successfully subvert traditional Walk Poetry to highlight the history and struggles of the Black community.
6 WORKS CITED: A comprehensive list of the academic sources used to support the analysis of the Harlem Renaissance and the selected poetry.
Keywords
Harlem Renaissance, Claude McKay, Langston Hughes, Harlem Shadows, The Negro Speaks of Rivers, Walk Poetry, African American Literature, Racism, Slavery, Identity, Great Migration, Poetry Analysis, Literary Criticism, Black History, Urban Life
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this research paper?
The paper focuses on the interpretation of "Walk Poetry" in the context of the Harlem Renaissance, specifically analyzing how two major poems represent the social standing and historical experiences of African Americans.
What are the primary themes explored in the work?
Key themes include the impact of the Great Migration, the struggle against systemic racism, the importance of reclaiming African American identity, and the historical legacy of slavery.
What is the central research objective?
The objective is to examine how Claude McKay and Langston Hughes deviate from traditional conventions of "Walk Poetry" to provide a platform for Black voices and social critique.
Which academic methods are employed in this analysis?
The author uses literary analysis and close reading of the texts to identify stylistic choices, metaphorical usage, and thematic connections to the sociocultural environment of the 1920s.
What topics are covered in the main body of the work?
The main body provides an overview of the Harlem Renaissance, followed by an in-depth literary analysis of McKay's "Harlem Shadows" and Hughes' "The Negro Speaks of Rivers," comparing their unique portrayals of movement.
Which keywords best characterize this study?
Important keywords include Harlem Renaissance, Walk Poetry, African American identity, systemic racism, and the literary contributions of Claude McKay and Langston Hughes.
How does Claude McKay treat the concept of walking in his work?
In "Harlem Shadows," the act of walking is physically tied to the urban environment of Harlem, where the "walk" of the prostitutes symbolizes their marginalization and the hopelessness imposed by white society.
How does Langston Hughes reinterpret the "walk" in his poem?
Hughes transforms the walk into a spiritual and historical journey. Rather than observing a street, the speaker travels through time, connecting his personal identity to the ancient history of his ancestors across different rivers of the world.
- Quote paper
- Bauke Janssen (Author), 2020, The topic of walking during the Harlem Renaissance. Differences between Claude McKays "Harlem Shadows" and Langston Hughes "The Negro Speaks of Rivers", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/992630
