The Harlem Renaissance

Provides users with a detailed and authoritative overview of this event, as well as the principal figures involved in this pivotal episode in U.S. history.

• Preface p. vii
• How to Use This Book p. xi
• Narrative Overview
• Prologue p. 3
• Chapter 1 Black America After Slavery p. 7
• Chapter 2 Beginnings of the Harlem Renaissance p. 23
• Chapter 3 Literature of the Harlem Renaissance p. 39
• Chapter 4 Music and Art of the Harlem Renaissance p. 57
• Chapter 5 The End of the Harlem Renaissance p. 73
• Chapter 6 The Legacy of the Harlem Renaissance p. 85
• Biographies
• Aaron Douglas (1899-1979): Painter and Illustrator of the Harlem Renaissance p. 97
• W.E.B. Du Bois (1868-1963): Author, Scholar, and Civil Rights Leader p. 103
• Duke Ellington (1899-1974): Composer, Pianist, and Leader of the Duke Ellington Orchestra p. 110
• Langston Hughes (1902-1967): Playwright, Novelist, and "Poet Laureate" of the Harlem Renaissance p. 115
• Zora Neale Hurston (1891-1960): Novelist and Southern Folklorist p. 121
• James Weldon Johnson (1871-1938): Author, Journalist, Lyricist, and Diplomat Who Served as Executive Secretary of the NAACP during the Renaissance Era p. 127
• Nella Larsen (1891-1964): Renaissance-Era Author of the Novels Quicksand and Passing p. 134
• Alain Locke (1885-1954): Scholar, Editor, and Supporter of the Harlem Renaissance p. 139
• Paul Robeson (1898-1976): Actor, Singer, Cultural Scholar, and Political Activist p. 143
• Bessie Smith (1894?-1937): Singer Known as "The Empress of the Blues" p. 150
• Primary Sources
• W.E.B. DuBois Discusses Black Hopes and Dreams p. 157
• Alain Locke Describes the Emerging Black Culture in Harlem p. 165
• Poetry of the Harlem Renaissance p. 171
• James Weldon Johnson Praises the People and Spirit of Harlem p. 177
• Langston Hughes Comments on Racial Identity and Artistic Integrity p. 182
• Frankie Manning Remembers the Savoy Ballroom p. 188
• Dorothy West Recalls Amateur Night at Harlem's Apollo Theatre p. 190
• Langston Hughes Remembers the Harlem Renaissance p. 196
• Important People, Places, and Terms p. 201
• Chronology p. 207
• Sources for Further Study p. 213
• Bibliography p. 215
• Photo Credits p. 219
• Index p. 221