Harlem Renaissance Poetry

Questions:

1. A tableau is a group of still figures that tells a story.  The two friends are a tableau since they show their friendship through body language.
2. The two boy's friendship is not received well.  The white people gossip about them and the black people stare at them disdainfully.
3. The lightning is their feelings of camaraderie and the thunder is their friendship that was caused by their emotions.

Alexandra Hendricks

Mrs. Parkinson

English III

7 March 2016

Countee Cullen: Tableau

What can be earned from the poetry of a Harlem Renaissance writer for students reading the poet’s writings today?

The Harlem Renaissance was an explosion of art and music from the black populace seeking freedom and individuality. They were inspired by the mistreatment of black soldiers after World War 1 and the racism of the justice system. One of the most prominent writers during this time period was Countee Cullen. He used a mixture of white poetry styles and education to express ideas on black freedom and racial equality. However, those poems were written almost a century ago.  How can the modern student learn from those poems?

Racism is still a problem in today’s society. Aspects of society discourage cross race friendships-- like monoracial neighborhoods, difference of cultures, and religious ideologies. A poem written by Countee Cullen, Tableau, was written to address this issue-- “Locked arm in arm they cross the way, The black boy and the white...From lowered blinds the dark folk stare. And here the fair folk talk, Indignant that these two should dare. In unison to walk.” This poem is about two friends who are ostracized by both of their societies.  This mirrors the how cross racial friendships are seen today.

Poems from the Harlem Renaissance still apply to today’s issues, and can be used to teach 

ideology not popularly viewed in society.