It is important to learn about the Harlem Renaissance because; it is a very influential piece of history. It marked the beginning of black power, and woman’s power. It is important to understand the attitudes towards culture and heritage. Only when we truly understand something it is then that we can fix it.
One would think that we are completely removed from the issue of race. However, lately in the news we are compelled to listen to stories that involve a teacher hanging noose around a student’s neck, or at an Ivy League school such as Columbia a noose is hung on the door of African American professor.
The Ku Klux Klan (KKK) is still around. It still threatens the non-Christian and non Eurocentric people of the modern world. Like during the Harlem Renaissance people still live in fear of this psychotic power. A modern example would be the movie “A Time to kill” which was originally a book. The movie portrays race relations in the south during modern times. While watching this movie, I had to think about the time period. I kept thinking that it was done in the old Jim Crow south, however, my friends quickly pointed out that the cars are around the 1990’s. The movie was produced in 1996. Therefore much of our country is still battling the issues that related to the Harlem renaissance. Who knows, perhaps in another 40 years, there will be no race relations, nobody will be judged by the color of their skin, or their religious beliefs. Only time can tell.
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Their Eyes were Watching God
Can I just say WOW!?! I cannot believe that Janie shot and killed Tea Cake. I found that some of the same situations that Janie was faced with in her marriage to Jody she was faced with again in her marriage to Tea Cake. They were both mean at the end of their marriages, they both passed away, and they both went to sleep in different bedrooms.
I think that the separate bedrooms is of great symbolism. In both marriages it represented an end. Jody moved out of the bedroom as soon as Janie stood up for herself,and commented on his manhood. On page 183 the dialogue between Janie an Tea Cake represents that the marriage is soon going to end. When Tea Cake states "Janie, how come you can't sleep in de same bed wid me no mo? How come you ruther sleep on uh pallet than tuh sleep in de bed wid me? This passage shows the misunderstanding and lack of communication that the two characters show. Even though Tea Cake was sick and delusional, the communication was not there. He even accused her of cheating on him. His personality does a 180 and still Janie does not communicate with him.
When Janie shoots her beloved Tea Cake, it shows the strength that she now has. In the beginning of the novel, she was under the rule of the men. Now she was in charge. I was reminded of the book Old Yeller. The young boy loves his dog so much, but he has the ability and strength to shoot and kill him. I saw this strength in Janie. Her ability to defend herself by killing her husband is remarkable, however, I'm not sure what Huston's point of this was.
I was happy with the way this novel ended. I liked the fact that Janie got off on killing her husband. She really truly loved him. She buried him with respect. I also liked the full circle ending in which Hurston referenced in the begging of the book and the overalls. At first it was hard to understand where she was going with that. Hurston left me fulfilled unlike any author that we have read prior to this point. The main character found love, and isn't that what we are all looking for regardless to race?
I think that the separate bedrooms is of great symbolism. In both marriages it represented an end. Jody moved out of the bedroom as soon as Janie stood up for herself,and commented on his manhood. On page 183 the dialogue between Janie an Tea Cake represents that the marriage is soon going to end. When Tea Cake states "Janie, how come you can't sleep in de same bed wid me no mo? How come you ruther sleep on uh pallet than tuh sleep in de bed wid me? This passage shows the misunderstanding and lack of communication that the two characters show. Even though Tea Cake was sick and delusional, the communication was not there. He even accused her of cheating on him. His personality does a 180 and still Janie does not communicate with him.
When Janie shoots her beloved Tea Cake, it shows the strength that she now has. In the beginning of the novel, she was under the rule of the men. Now she was in charge. I was reminded of the book Old Yeller. The young boy loves his dog so much, but he has the ability and strength to shoot and kill him. I saw this strength in Janie. Her ability to defend herself by killing her husband is remarkable, however, I'm not sure what Huston's point of this was.
I was happy with the way this novel ended. I liked the fact that Janie got off on killing her husband. She really truly loved him. She buried him with respect. I also liked the full circle ending in which Hurston referenced in the begging of the book and the overalls. At first it was hard to understand where she was going with that. Hurston left me fulfilled unlike any author that we have read prior to this point. The main character found love, and isn't that what we are all looking for regardless to race?
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Janie
I am very suprised and happy to see how the character Janie has developed. It is impecable to see Hurston write about a woman character like this, especially during the enlightment of Women's Rights.
Janie sticks up for herself on page 78 and 79 of the novel, not only did she speak up for herself she spoke up to a man. I loved how she spoke up for her rights to look good and age well. This passage was just the start of her own sexual revolution. She put down "her man." He then moves out, Hurston is trying to portraty a sterotype between men and women. This is a different syle of writing in which we as a class have not read before.
I also like the passage right after Jody had passed. Page 87 describes it the best "She tore off the kerchief from her head and let down her plentiful hair. The weight the length the glory was there." It is almost as if she is stripping the way of the past, and the feeling of being old that Jody had instilled in her. She knew that her marriage was over long a go but she still had to apear to be upset about Jody's passing.
That night she burnt her head rags. I imagined this as women buring their bras in the 1960's. She was standing up for her right to bare all for the wold to see she. She was no longer Jody's wife. She was her own person with her own style.
Hurston really is showing the race relations and the gender differenecs for the time period, I'm really not sure if other writers that we have read really portray this. If anybody can think of one let me know!
Janie sticks up for herself on page 78 and 79 of the novel, not only did she speak up for herself she spoke up to a man. I loved how she spoke up for her rights to look good and age well. This passage was just the start of her own sexual revolution. She put down "her man." He then moves out, Hurston is trying to portraty a sterotype between men and women. This is a different syle of writing in which we as a class have not read before.
I also like the passage right after Jody had passed. Page 87 describes it the best "She tore off the kerchief from her head and let down her plentiful hair. The weight the length the glory was there." It is almost as if she is stripping the way of the past, and the feeling of being old that Jody had instilled in her. She knew that her marriage was over long a go but she still had to apear to be upset about Jody's passing.
That night she burnt her head rags. I imagined this as women buring their bras in the 1960's. She was standing up for her right to bare all for the wold to see she. She was no longer Jody's wife. She was her own person with her own style.
Hurston really is showing the race relations and the gender differenecs for the time period, I'm really not sure if other writers that we have read really portray this. If anybody can think of one let me know!
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Hurston
I was relieved that we had a smaller text this week, not to mention that we were now off the subject of poetry. However, I quickly found out when I opened the book Their Eyes were Watching God that I was very wrong about being excited. The first page alone, made me confused on the setting. After I figured that out I was slapped in the face, with souther dialect.
Reading southern dialect is difficult. It takes more time reading, and comprehending then what poetry does. I often times hear myself reading outloud and trying to decode these sounds. Even though it is difficult to read, I feel though that this is beneficial to Hurston's writing. It gives the reader a feeling of being part of the setting.
One of the parts of the story the really stood out to me was on page 9. Janie did not recognize herself in the picture. She did not know herself to be black. This part of the book reminded me of Johnson's "Autobiography of an Ex Coloured Man," He did not realize that he was black either,however, he could pass as white, whereas Janie was very dark, and most likely could not pass. This is eveident in her nickname "Alaphabet" she acquired that name because everybody called her different nicknames, which made me think about her charcetr. She ment somthing to everybody, which raised the question of where did she really belong?
The charcter Nanny reminded me of the character Mother Mason in the Brownie Book. She constantly tries to tell Janie that love will eventualy come in her marriage. She seems like a charcter with lots of knowledge. " Ah was born back due in slavery so it wasn't fir ne to fulfill my dreams of whut a woman oughta be and to do." Is a line that that really reminds me of Mother Mason, she preached about slavery and how the young generation have so many opportunities. I think that Nanny can become a well developed charachter.
The scene on page 16 also reminds me of a poem by Langston Hughes,"From Mother to Son." An older generation is telling stories of the past while the younger person is being rocked.
All ready during this reading I can find many similarities between Hurston and other authors. I'm really enjoying the novel it already has some scandel in it, unlike Nella Laren's "Passing!"
Reading southern dialect is difficult. It takes more time reading, and comprehending then what poetry does. I often times hear myself reading outloud and trying to decode these sounds. Even though it is difficult to read, I feel though that this is beneficial to Hurston's writing. It gives the reader a feeling of being part of the setting.
One of the parts of the story the really stood out to me was on page 9. Janie did not recognize herself in the picture. She did not know herself to be black. This part of the book reminded me of Johnson's "Autobiography of an Ex Coloured Man," He did not realize that he was black either,however, he could pass as white, whereas Janie was very dark, and most likely could not pass. This is eveident in her nickname "Alaphabet" she acquired that name because everybody called her different nicknames, which made me think about her charcetr. She ment somthing to everybody, which raised the question of where did she really belong?
The charcter Nanny reminded me of the character Mother Mason in the Brownie Book. She constantly tries to tell Janie that love will eventualy come in her marriage. She seems like a charcter with lots of knowledge. " Ah was born back due in slavery so it wasn't fir ne to fulfill my dreams of whut a woman oughta be and to do." Is a line that that really reminds me of Mother Mason, she preached about slavery and how the young generation have so many opportunities. I think that Nanny can become a well developed charachter.
The scene on page 16 also reminds me of a poem by Langston Hughes,"From Mother to Son." An older generation is telling stories of the past while the younger person is being rocked.
All ready during this reading I can find many similarities between Hurston and other authors. I'm really enjoying the novel it already has some scandel in it, unlike Nella Laren's "Passing!"
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Hughes
Langston Hughes's poems were very refreshing to read after Cullen. His poems were more straight forward. It's ironic that they were written during the same time period.
I enjoyed Hughes poem "Negro." It reminded me of McKay's poem, and how he talked about Africa.
I enjoyed it because as you disect it the first line is talking about the past in a different part of the country, while the second like in about the present United States. One of the strongest lines in the poem is "I've been a Victim: The Belgians cut off my hands in the congo. They lynch me still in the Mississippi." I think this is a great portrayal of race relations in the present time. That they used to cut off his hands, but now they are just lynching them, and also is is depending on area's of the region. Belgium and the southern United States.
I also like the poem "A Song to a Negro Wash-woman." I thought that this piece of writing can be related to a lot of our other readings. I think that you could relate this to Cullen's poems, or even Toomer's Cane. I think that Hughes uses a lot of describing nature words. He uses words like white and spring to sybolize purity. Also you could relate it to Jonson's article on Harlem. He spoke about how men and women who were just poor begger wash women were now being able to afford houses.
I liked the lines
"Yes, I know you wash-woman. I know how you send your children to school, high school, and even college.I know how you work and help your man when times are hard. I know how you build your house up from the wash tuband call it home. and how you raise your chuches from the white suds for the service of the Holy God.
I think this section proved inspiration for women. During the same time that the civil rights movement was popular so was the woman's rights movement. The line above shows Hughes support towards women. This was another popular cause that harlem renissance writers would also support.
I enjoy reading Hughes, however, sometimes he can be tricky to read because he is so straight forward.
I enjoyed Hughes poem "Negro." It reminded me of McKay's poem, and how he talked about Africa.
I enjoyed it because as you disect it the first line is talking about the past in a different part of the country, while the second like in about the present United States. One of the strongest lines in the poem is "I've been a Victim: The Belgians cut off my hands in the congo. They lynch me still in the Mississippi." I think this is a great portrayal of race relations in the present time. That they used to cut off his hands, but now they are just lynching them, and also is is depending on area's of the region. Belgium and the southern United States.
I also like the poem "A Song to a Negro Wash-woman." I thought that this piece of writing can be related to a lot of our other readings. I think that you could relate this to Cullen's poems, or even Toomer's Cane. I think that Hughes uses a lot of describing nature words. He uses words like white and spring to sybolize purity. Also you could relate it to Jonson's article on Harlem. He spoke about how men and women who were just poor begger wash women were now being able to afford houses.
I liked the lines
"Yes, I know you wash-woman. I know how you send your children to school, high school, and even college.I know how you work and help your man when times are hard. I know how you build your house up from the wash tuband call it home. and how you raise your chuches from the white suds for the service of the Holy God.
I think this section proved inspiration for women. During the same time that the civil rights movement was popular so was the woman's rights movement. The line above shows Hughes support towards women. This was another popular cause that harlem renissance writers would also support.
I enjoy reading Hughes, however, sometimes he can be tricky to read because he is so straight forward.
Sunday, November 4, 2007
On These I Stand
I am really enjoying reading the poems by Countee Cullen. I like how he uses more traditional writing. He uses rhyme schemes that most of the other poets did not use. This makes it easier for the audience to read. I find it very ironic that Cullen uses a lot of refrence to the bible and also confuses his audience on homosexual concepts.
I particullary liked two of the poems that were included in the reading. I liked "Tableau" and " A song of Sour Grapes."
"A Song of Sour Grapes" I liked because it is a little different than his other writings. It has a traditional flow, but the feeling is more of hatered. If you compare it to his "A Song of Praise" where you get a sort of happy in love feeling.
"Tableau" was another favorite. I liked it because you can sense some confusion in the poem. The lines "From lowered blinds the dark folk stare, and here the fair folk talk. Indiognant that these two should dare in unison to walk.
These lines were great. You do not know if the people are staring because of the color line of because they are two men walking arm in arm. This poem reminds me a lot of Nella Larsen's "Passing." It seems as though Cullen is trying to pass as a straight man, but yet his writing has some sort of homosexual theme.
Like Clare, he is trying to pass in both societies. Clare is portraying to her husband that she is white when in reality she is black. In a sense Clare is not being truly honest in society or truly honest in her marriage.
In this poem Cullen seems to be portraying the same thing. He is also lying in his marriage. It isn't that he is trying to pass as a white man, he is trying to pass for a straight man. This poem may have some subtle look into his life. Maybe he had a white male signifaigant other, and it came out in his poetry. Perhaps we will never know!
I particullary liked two of the poems that were included in the reading. I liked "Tableau" and " A song of Sour Grapes."
"A Song of Sour Grapes" I liked because it is a little different than his other writings. It has a traditional flow, but the feeling is more of hatered. If you compare it to his "A Song of Praise" where you get a sort of happy in love feeling.
"Tableau" was another favorite. I liked it because you can sense some confusion in the poem. The lines "From lowered blinds the dark folk stare, and here the fair folk talk. Indiognant that these two should dare in unison to walk.
These lines were great. You do not know if the people are staring because of the color line of because they are two men walking arm in arm. This poem reminds me a lot of Nella Larsen's "Passing." It seems as though Cullen is trying to pass as a straight man, but yet his writing has some sort of homosexual theme.
Like Clare, he is trying to pass in both societies. Clare is portraying to her husband that she is white when in reality she is black. In a sense Clare is not being truly honest in society or truly honest in her marriage.
In this poem Cullen seems to be portraying the same thing. He is also lying in his marriage. It isn't that he is trying to pass as a white man, he is trying to pass for a straight man. This poem may have some subtle look into his life. Maybe he had a white male signifaigant other, and it came out in his poetry. Perhaps we will never know!
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Passing part II
If you were to read the novel passing you would notice the slow psychosis of the character Irene. She seems to slowly become psychotic. She seems to be having much resentment for her husband. In essence it came down to who she really wanted to destroy. She saved her husband for the fact that he was the father to her two children.
Clare really needed to be destroyed in Irene's mind. Perhaps it's because their relationship was so complex she was jealous of the relationship between Clare and Brian. It seems as though her attitude towards Clare changes right after Brian invites Clare to a party. Her mental health slowly diminishes after that. She then thinks of herself only as a mother. On page on 144 she begins to only think of herself as an obstacle. Her idea that Brian and Clare are having an affair continue to overtake her mind, she even says on page 152 "Why spare Clare?" late on in the page she even questions her own race. For the first time she wished that she was not born black.
Page 156 of the novel shows Irene's contemplation to kill Clare. It specially states "If Clare should die! Then oh it was Vile! To think, yes, to wish that! She felt faint and sick. But the thought stayed with her she could not get rid of it." This passage suggests the sick and twisted mind of Irene. She wanted Irene dead but the thought of it made her sick. This novel should really be in a psychology class to study the psychology of women's minds.
The Best of the Brownies’ Book
I really enjoyed reading these passages. I specifically enjoyed "Dolly's Dream" by Nora Waring. It was about a young African American girl who wanted golden curls. As we all know having blonde curls is usually predominant in the white race. At six years old this is all Dolly wanted was golden curly locks.
This passage reminds me of everyday life. There is no young girl that thinks that they are perfect, we are constantly trying to change ourselves. I am reminded by a book I read a few years ago Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye. "The Bluest Eye is about a young African woman who wants blue eyes. Essentially she goes crazy wanting these blue eyes.
These two pieces of literature remind me of the novel "Passing" and the "Autobiography of an ex Coloured man." It seems as though many blacks in the Harlem Renaissance wanted to be white or have white tendencies. I wonder why it would be so much better to have white features when you would have to sacrifice everything about your heritage to do so.
Clare really needed to be destroyed in Irene's mind. Perhaps it's because their relationship was so complex she was jealous of the relationship between Clare and Brian. It seems as though her attitude towards Clare changes right after Brian invites Clare to a party. Her mental health slowly diminishes after that. She then thinks of herself only as a mother. On page on 144 she begins to only think of herself as an obstacle. Her idea that Brian and Clare are having an affair continue to overtake her mind, she even says on page 152 "Why spare Clare?" late on in the page she even questions her own race. For the first time she wished that she was not born black.
Page 156 of the novel shows Irene's contemplation to kill Clare. It specially states "If Clare should die! Then oh it was Vile! To think, yes, to wish that! She felt faint and sick. But the thought stayed with her she could not get rid of it." This passage suggests the sick and twisted mind of Irene. She wanted Irene dead but the thought of it made her sick. This novel should really be in a psychology class to study the psychology of women's minds.
The Best of the Brownies’ Book
I really enjoyed reading these passages. I specifically enjoyed "Dolly's Dream" by Nora Waring. It was about a young African American girl who wanted golden curls. As we all know having blonde curls is usually predominant in the white race. At six years old this is all Dolly wanted was golden curly locks.
This passage reminds me of everyday life. There is no young girl that thinks that they are perfect, we are constantly trying to change ourselves. I am reminded by a book I read a few years ago Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye. "The Bluest Eye is about a young African woman who wants blue eyes. Essentially she goes crazy wanting these blue eyes.
These two pieces of literature remind me of the novel "Passing" and the "Autobiography of an ex Coloured man." It seems as though many blacks in the Harlem Renaissance wanted to be white or have white tendencies. I wonder why it would be so much better to have white features when you would have to sacrifice everything about your heritage to do so.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Passing
Througout the whole novel of passing I'm feeling a resentment from Clare Kendry to Irene Redfield. Clare seemed too inlove with herself. I think she wishes she was more like Irene. Even though Clare has more money I think she wants to be noticed for her roots.
Irene married a black man. She has a father unlike Clare. Her upbringing was better and Irene never had to hide a secret. She knew exactly who she was.
Larsen portrayed Clare as a complete opposite of other writers that we have read. Take for instance McKay. He was constantly longing to go back to his roots. Deep down I think this is what Clare wanted. She resented Irene for staying with her roots. That is why she was so insistant on making her go to her tea parties. Thats why it was soo important for her to meet her husband. Clare was showing off that she was so white and pure that even her husband could call her "Nig" without anybody being the wiser.
Irene made me think a lot about Johnson. They both seem to pass only when it is convient for them. They like to think of their race as a shock value. That society would be shocked to know if they were white or black.
Irene married a black man. She has a father unlike Clare. Her upbringing was better and Irene never had to hide a secret. She knew exactly who she was.
Larsen portrayed Clare as a complete opposite of other writers that we have read. Take for instance McKay. He was constantly longing to go back to his roots. Deep down I think this is what Clare wanted. She resented Irene for staying with her roots. That is why she was so insistant on making her go to her tea parties. Thats why it was soo important for her to meet her husband. Clare was showing off that she was so white and pure that even her husband could call her "Nig" without anybody being the wiser.
Irene made me think a lot about Johnson. They both seem to pass only when it is convient for them. They like to think of their race as a shock value. That society would be shocked to know if they were white or black.
A good old fashioned Hanging
For those of you who do not ,my family and I have suffered the loss of my Uncle. He was a very important and influential man in our lives. As a result my brothers and I decided to cut loose. This weekend we went to Fright Fest at Six Flags Great Escape In Lake George NY.
The day was going great. We saw an Elvis impersonation show. Which if you know me know that my brother Jeff and I are obsessed with Elvis. My brother Robbie and I rode all the rides that were open,which if you have been to Disney know are terrible and unreeling to say the least.
On our way out we saw a huge crowd gathered for a skit in the main entrance of the park. We had to stop and see. What we saw was horrifying. We saw the skit hanging of a child.
It was supposed to be a reenactment of the Salem Witch Trials. The hangman kept asking the crowd if we should hang this child who was in reality a very petite woman. What made my stomach turn was the crowd cheering this on. They were excited and asking for it.
They put a cloth over her face and a Noose around her neck. She was then hung on cables and she pretended to shake her feet as if she was really dying.
I kept looking at my brothers we all stared in astonishment. With everything that is going on in the news I thought this was highly inappropriate. I can not imagine the thoughts going through the mind of crowds who actually witnessed a hanging. A burning and a hanging to go with the smells. Even though it was a reenactment I was sick to my stomach. The way the people acted like barbarians, I couldn't imagine. There were children around. As a child one does not know the difference between make believe and real. It serves their parents right for having to pay their therapy bills in years to come.
Don't get me wrong, I love Halloween, and I never turn down an opportunity to have fun. This skit is wrong in every way shape and form. Luckily I'm one of the educated to stop this from hopefully happening again. I will never ever go to The Great Escape ever again.
The day was going great. We saw an Elvis impersonation show. Which if you know me know that my brother Jeff and I are obsessed with Elvis. My brother Robbie and I rode all the rides that were open,which if you have been to Disney know are terrible and unreeling to say the least.
On our way out we saw a huge crowd gathered for a skit in the main entrance of the park. We had to stop and see. What we saw was horrifying. We saw the skit hanging of a child.
It was supposed to be a reenactment of the Salem Witch Trials. The hangman kept asking the crowd if we should hang this child who was in reality a very petite woman. What made my stomach turn was the crowd cheering this on. They were excited and asking for it.
They put a cloth over her face and a Noose around her neck. She was then hung on cables and she pretended to shake her feet as if she was really dying.
I kept looking at my brothers we all stared in astonishment. With everything that is going on in the news I thought this was highly inappropriate. I can not imagine the thoughts going through the mind of crowds who actually witnessed a hanging. A burning and a hanging to go with the smells. Even though it was a reenactment I was sick to my stomach. The way the people acted like barbarians, I couldn't imagine. There were children around. As a child one does not know the difference between make believe and real. It serves their parents right for having to pay their therapy bills in years to come.
Don't get me wrong, I love Halloween, and I never turn down an opportunity to have fun. This skit is wrong in every way shape and form. Luckily I'm one of the educated to stop this from hopefully happening again. I will never ever go to The Great Escape ever again.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Words
This weeks reading was very exciting for me. The poems that were handed out with Fausette were very light and exciting.
My favorite poem was "Words! Words!" The imagery was exceptional. The red that was used I tinterpreted into two different meanings. It could be red as in bloodshed, and anger or it could be interpreted as passionate love. The line "you went besrk, and I saw red. This could have ment that the author understood and noted that she saw that maybe their beloved was so in love with them and if for that reason is why they are so angry. Perhaps, if they did not love one another so much they would not have been in a "lover's quarelle."
The second stanza in the poem was very powerful. It made me feel as though I was right there watching the argument. It mentions death and the apostle. This made me believe that there is a married couple, and they are not getting a long but they are going to prove to god that they can withhold the test of time.
This poem also reminded me of Jean Toomer's Cane. There is a passage in the book that is called Carma. The woman in Toomer's passage was also very dramatic. They were arguing too, however Carma could not compose herself and killed her husband. She could not stand the test of time and prove to god that her vows were almost unsacred!
My favorite poem was "Words! Words!" The imagery was exceptional. The red that was used I tinterpreted into two different meanings. It could be red as in bloodshed, and anger or it could be interpreted as passionate love. The line "you went besrk, and I saw red. This could have ment that the author understood and noted that she saw that maybe their beloved was so in love with them and if for that reason is why they are so angry. Perhaps, if they did not love one another so much they would not have been in a "lover's quarelle."
The second stanza in the poem was very powerful. It made me feel as though I was right there watching the argument. It mentions death and the apostle. This made me believe that there is a married couple, and they are not getting a long but they are going to prove to god that they can withhold the test of time.
This poem also reminded me of Jean Toomer's Cane. There is a passage in the book that is called Carma. The woman in Toomer's passage was also very dramatic. They were arguing too, however Carma could not compose herself and killed her husband. She could not stand the test of time and prove to god that her vows were almost unsacred!
Friday, September 21, 2007
McKay
My favorite McKay poem was The Tropics in New York. This poem really trapped me in. It almost seemed as though he was having a flashback. Many men who have gone to war have flashbacks when they see something horrific. My thoughts was maybe he saw the way that the blacks and immigrants were being treated and he had to have sort of a mental relapse to the old days. It was part of him escaping.
I like how he used illiteration about the "dewy dawns, and mystical blue skies." I also liked how it really started off as though he was calm and serine but it ended as how he longs for the old days back in Jamica. The dramatic ending where he is left weeping really was the deciding factor on why I felt this was a flashback.
I like how he used illiteration about the "dewy dawns, and mystical blue skies." I also liked how it really started off as though he was calm and serine but it ended as how he longs for the old days back in Jamica. The dramatic ending where he is left weeping really was the deciding factor on why I felt this was a flashback.
Friday, September 14, 2007
For my second blog I wanted to comment on how I was shocked on the ending of the book "The Autobiography of an Ex Colored Man." I was surprised to find Johnson marry. He seemed almost too shy in the book to even talk to women. I also thought that by marrying a white woman he was giving into society's rules. I assumed if he would marry he would marry either someone just like him self in trying to "pass" or he would marry a black woman.
The reason I thought he would marry a black woman is because his mother was black. She was the only woman in his life for so long, she was the only woman that really mattered. I thought that he would try to marry a woman just like her.
The only reason he isn't marrying again is because he could not face the truth that he is what he is. If he keeps is all bottled up nobody will know about his past. His children look and have the features of their mother. The one question that I have is did he ever tell his children that they have "black" blood in them, or did he find it too life altering?
The reason I thought he would marry a black woman is because his mother was black. She was the only woman in his life for so long, she was the only woman that really mattered. I thought that he would try to marry a woman just like her.
The only reason he isn't marrying again is because he could not face the truth that he is what he is. If he keeps is all bottled up nobody will know about his past. His children look and have the features of their mother. The one question that I have is did he ever tell his children that they have "black" blood in them, or did he find it too life altering?
Friday, September 7, 2007
Post 1
On page 28 in "The Autobiography of an Ex- Coloured Man," James Weldon Johnson states "it is strange how in some things honest people can be dishonest without the slightest compunction." This quote was in regards to him cheating to get his friend Red through school so that they could be together. This is foreshadowing for the rest of the book.
His life changed after the money he had saved for college was stolen out of his trunk. As a result Johnson did not attend college. He ended up working as a cigar maker.
Perhaps if Johnson did not help Red he would not have made it himself through school. Red was the only person that James Weldon Johnson showed any interest in. Red pushed him to be a better student and in return he helped Red in school.
When Johnson decides he wants to leave the North behind he finds himself looking at all sorts of things that test his morals. His moral for an education quickly changed. This just proves that what goes around comes around.
His life changed after the money he had saved for college was stolen out of his trunk. As a result Johnson did not attend college. He ended up working as a cigar maker.
Perhaps if Johnson did not help Red he would not have made it himself through school. Red was the only person that James Weldon Johnson showed any interest in. Red pushed him to be a better student and in return he helped Red in school.
When Johnson decides he wants to leave the North behind he finds himself looking at all sorts of things that test his morals. His moral for an education quickly changed. This just proves that what goes around comes around.
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