Place, race and identity in Langston Hughes’ "A Toast to Harlem"

Type :

Book review

Pages :

5 pages

Format :

.doc

Published date :

01/15/2009

Category :

Philosophy & literature

Sub category :

Literature

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Summary :

Introduction.
Harlem in terms of place in the early twentieth century.
1. Harlem as a 'Reservation'.
2. Harlem as a refuge for the African Diaspora.
The issue of race within Harlem.
1. Colour and race.
2. Simple as the embodiment of the typical Harlemite.
Forging an identity.
1. A dual identity.
2. Boyd, Simple and identity.
Conclusion.
Bibliography.

Abstract

"A toast to harlem" is an extract from a volume of selections entitled The Best Of Simple which was published in 1961. The author, langston hughes, was born in Joplin, Missouri in 1902 and died in 1967. He is known as one of the most important writers and thinkers of the harlem Renaissance, which was the African American artistic movement in the 1920s that celebrated black life and culture as well as racial pride. His prolific work was highly influenced by his life in New York City's harlem. His literary works helped shape American literature and politics. Through writing hughes conveyed his desire for equality; he condemned racism and injustice, and promoted African American culture.
langston hughes was famous as a poet during the period of the harlem Renaissance, he is often remembered as "a harlem Renaissance poet" but in addition to his work as a poet, hughes was a novelist, columnist, playwright, and essayist. His brilliant career influenced the work of many other African American writers.