Modernism

I chose Harlem Renaissance because i feel that this is a popular subject of African Americans. I think that it's cool to see that black people were succeeding in a way that people never thought possible. During this time frame black people or should i say African Americans progressed as artists and showed the world that they had plenty of talent and that they knew how to use it. Having a little knowledge of the Harlem Renaissance makes me proud of my Culture.

In the story "Sweat", the character Delia was in an abusive marriage. She did everything she could to keep her husband happy. She cleaned for white people just to keep a roof over her head and food on her table. She was a really good woman from my interpretation but it seemed nothing she could do was good enough for her selfish husband. He was evil and in my opinion he needed to die. I can feel why this story is called sweat. she worked so hard and seemed like she was the only one holding them together and keeping things in check. She slaved just to make ends meet and i can appreciate where Ms Zora comes from because i have seen how that is like first hand. 1. She saw that Sykes had kicked all of the clothes together again, and now stood in her way truculently, his whole manner hoping, praying for an argument. But she walked calmly around him and commenced to re-sort the things.
2. He stepped roughly upon the whitest pile of things, kicking them helter-skelter as he crossed the room. His wife gave a little scream of dismay, and quickly gathered them together again.
3. Ah don't keer if you never git through. Anyhow, Ah done promised gawd and a couple of other men, Ah aint gointer have it in ah house. Don't gimme no lip neither, else Ah'll throw'em out and put mah fist up side yo' head to boot.'

These 3 examples are of the abuse that Delia husband gave her.


1."Looka heah, Sykes, you done gone too fur. Ah been married to you fur fifteen years, and Ah been takin' in washin' for fifteen years. Sweat, sweat, sweat! Work and sweat, cry and sweat, pray and sweat!"
2. She seized the iron skillet from the stove and struck a defensive pose.

This is an example of her standing up for herself

Which was even more surprising to me was how bad he treated her but in return needed her

"Delia. Delia!" She could hear Sykes callin in a most despairing tone one who expected no answer. The sun crept on up, and he called. Delia could not move-- her legs were gone flabby. She never moved, he called and the sun kept rising.

"Mah Gawd!" She heard him moan, "Mah Gawd fum Heben!" She heard him stumbling about and got up from her flower-bed. The sun was growing warm. As she approached the door she heard him call out hopefully, "Delia, is dat you Ah heah?"

POEMS

1. Richard Coey
This poem talks about a guy who is rich, however he is really unhappy with himself, he is very friendly but he just isn't happy with himself

"Went home and put a bullet through his head"

He killed himself which is an example of disallusionment. Money is a very important aspect in life but it cant buy you happiness, an to be successful you have to have happiness as part of your list.

2. Mending wall
This one is about a guy who likes his privacy but he also wants to befriend his neighbor.

"I let my neighbor know beyond the hill;
"And on the day we meet to walk to line

He only says, "Good fences make a good neighbor."

3. Dream Defeered
This one is asking a question, " What happens to a dream deffered?" ~ Harlem Renaissance~

4. The Negro Speaks of Rivers
What a name, this is about a man who is talking about the rivers that he has seen. over his time as an example how things grow old well he compares his self to a river that has grown old. I think this is an example of Harlem Renaissance.

5. Incident
this poem is about a child who visited Baltimore he was eight years old and he couldn't remember much of the visit other than being called a "Nigger". And so i smiled, but he poked out his tongue and called me, "NIGGER". that word speaks out, he really didn't have a full understanding on the N word yet. I also think that this would fall under Harlem Renaissance.