The Harlem Renaissance
1) What was the significance of the Harlem Renaissance?
The Harlem Renaissance was a literary and artistic movement celebrating African American
culture. The Harlem Renaissance occurred after World War 1 during which African Americans
began finding their voice, place, and status in America. The Harlem Renaissance gives African
Americans, for the first time, people and accomplishments to be proud of. During the Harlem
Renaissance, many African Americans found success, especially in the arts and music. These
successes were something that all African Americans could be proud of.
2) Who were some of the important figures (and what they were famous for) during the Harlem
Renaissance?
Zora Neale Hurston was an actress and a writer. She wrote about African American
experiences in the south.
Louis Armstrong was a trumpet player. He was one of the most important musicians in Jazz
music.
Duke Ellington was a Jazz pianist. He was one of the greatest composers in American history.
Bessie Smith was a female blues singer. She was the highest paid African American at the time.
Langston Hughes was a poet who wrote about African American experiences from his
perspective. His poems were so powerful that he not only gained fame in African American
communities, but also in all literary circles everywhere. He gained fame nationally and
internationally and became a famous African American poet.
3) In the poem "Mother to Son" by Langston Hughes, what is the message (make sure you included
the "why")?
In the poem "Mother to Son," a mother is telling her son how she grew up in a difficult time. Life was tough for the mother, but she kept going. She kept "going in the dark where there ain't been no light." She tells her son not to give up no matter what, because she is still "climbing," so he can't give up even when times get tough.
The Harlem Renaissance was a literary and artistic movement celebrating African American
culture. The Harlem Renaissance occurred after World War 1 during which African Americans
began finding their voice, place, and status in America. The Harlem Renaissance gives African
Americans, for the first time, people and accomplishments to be proud of. During the Harlem
Renaissance, many African Americans found success, especially in the arts and music. These
successes were something that all African Americans could be proud of.
2) Who were some of the important figures (and what they were famous for) during the Harlem
Renaissance?
Zora Neale Hurston was an actress and a writer. She wrote about African American
experiences in the south.
Louis Armstrong was a trumpet player. He was one of the most important musicians in Jazz
music.
Duke Ellington was a Jazz pianist. He was one of the greatest composers in American history.
Bessie Smith was a female blues singer. She was the highest paid African American at the time.
Langston Hughes was a poet who wrote about African American experiences from his
perspective. His poems were so powerful that he not only gained fame in African American
communities, but also in all literary circles everywhere. He gained fame nationally and
internationally and became a famous African American poet.
3) In the poem "Mother to Son" by Langston Hughes, what is the message (make sure you included
the "why")?
In the poem "Mother to Son," a mother is telling her son how she grew up in a difficult time. Life was tough for the mother, but she kept going. She kept "going in the dark where there ain't been no light." She tells her son not to give up no matter what, because she is still "climbing," so he can't give up even when times get tough.