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Ii.l'i?#LT :, American Literature

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The modernismtime period took place during someof the most defining events that still affectspresentday America. During this time period, impeccable and culture impacting elnts, for examplewomen receivingthe right to vote, technologicaladvancement, the stock market ctash,and the Harlem renaissance all essential are parts of today's history. Modernists

were firm believersthat advancements technologycausedpeopleto becomelazv, in dependent, materialistic,and declinein human'smorals.They also thought that social class undervalued and forgot aboutpeoplebeneaththe poverty level markedby the fact that the rich increased in wealth while the poor remainedpoor. Consequently, modernistpoem written during the a --H31lem

renaissance LangstonHughestitled 'Harlem" reflectsmany of thesebeligfs. Langston by begins his poem by referencingthe governmentgiving false hopeto the low classcitiz;rs;'-tha; one day all raceswill be exposed true equality.He continuesthroughouthis poem to go in depth to about the hardships the inner black societyduring the time period. The author gearsthe intended of audience, African Americansto feel the emotion of frustrationthanksto the literary devices metaphor, personification, hyphens, and allusion.This poemsends message blacksthat the to they will neverhavethe sameopportunities white peopleunless as they go aboveand beyondto overcome discrimination. In Langston'spoem the trials and tribulationsof being a partof an inner city black societyis noticeablyexpressed the useliterary devicesin the text. In the very first line he by writes "Here on the edgeof hell StandsHarlem-". The authorpurposefullyplacesa hyphenthere

Thomas, Tyler Mrs. Hampton American Literature October II,2012 Period6

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The reference Harlem is being to of to focus on the relationshipbetweenit and the mg{aphor. hell, an unwantedand wretchedplace.He beliy'ves and oftep refersto Harlem to emphasizethe

levelof mistreat theywitne]r: to -uOA

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ion stronger,Hughedthen writes "Sugar's gon up

anothertwo centsand breadone, and there's a new tax on cigarettes- rememberthejob we We neverhad." This quotealludesto the StampAct in 1765,which requiredall citizensto pay a large amountof tax on items.He urgesus reade$o make a connectionbetweenpeopleof that era and the position he's in. The StampAct ma\nly affectedall poor citizensthat eitherhad low payingjobs or none at all, and were still expected pa! taxes. to to By Langstonsuccessfully usesemotionto presentthe overall message the audience. ng into consideration that the intendedaudiencefor the poem was African Americans,the bcus of the poem becomemore direct. The prominentauthorwrites o'Werememberthejob we

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we're colored." By making this neverhad, Never could get, And can't have now, Because that ethnicity played a huge role and he statement forcesAfrican Americansto acknowledge deprivedmany from having freedomand equalrights as other races.He also quotesrn stanza3, "So we standhere on the edgeof hell in Harlem, look out on the world And wonder What we're that gonnado in the face of what We remember".By focusingon the unjust laws and regulations that blacksare on the verge of hell being held in confinement are basedon his race,he narrates and restriction.He views the world as a placewhere all racesexcepthis are free and treated of equally which sendsthe message African Americansbeing held captiveand neverbeing capableof anythingdue to racial injustices,

Thomas, Tyler Mrs. Hampton AmericanLiterature October 11,2012 Period 6

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In conclusion,the message the poem reflectsbeliefs of the modern time period of ultimately by overlappingsocial and govemmentviews. The message reflectsthe moderntime period because America only paid attentionto the white peoplewhich causedblack people,even today to have to go aboveand beyondmeasurdo becomesuccessful life. The rich also in increas{ in wealth, which makeithelower classbecomebelittled and often forsotten about because money usually depictsthe level of importanceof an individual. They believedthat America was not for the peoplebut for white people.In the poem, whites benefitedfrom pretty much everythingand were the rich oneswhile "the people" seenas African Americansor iust plain other poor peoplewere the onesleft out or placedon restrictions.