Harlem Resaissance Response to the Oral Tradition

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Recommended: Dialect in American literature

Jean Toomer is a master at appearance and behavior, with this in mind, ergo, I acquiesce with Karla Holloway. She argues convincingly that Toomer's "Fern" leaves out the memory consciousness storytelling, the perpetual breaks and the constant wavering of thoughts that is apparent in Nella Larson's "Quicksand."

"Like the face, the whole countryside seemed to flow into her eyes. Fern's eyes said to them that she was easy."

"Cane" is written with Toomer's typical use of alliteration, syncopation and his metaphorical preacher's tone. However, he does attempt to give Fern some sort of voice. Although he failed at this endeavor he still demonstrates that unmistakable focus on her "eyes," appearance. The second above quote, "that she was easy" concentrates on behavior. Exceptional and typical are the words that come to mind when characterizing "Cane." Typical because Toomer can not rewrite what he is a black male writer. However, although, unprecedented for the creation of an unambiguous word, a context, known as: oracular text.

Furthermore Holloway's text is proven when dissecting the following passage. "So, instead of turning away as she felt inclined, she walked on indifferently." This is a distinct example of the character's consciousness and the "inner voice" that Toomer fails to bring out, Larson succeeds in producing it.

Response: #4

Zora Hurston's celebration of Blues creativity and her rendering process is shown in a sort of Q&A session or better known as call and response, as can be seen in the quotations under.

"What killed this man?"

The chorus answered, "Bare, Bare fat"

"What killed this man?

"Bare, bare fat"

The question can be seen as the call and the answer th...

... middle of paper ...

...eath" a song, a secular, correlates to her thoughts. Repetition is of course, used in the song with a trace of syncopation in the first line "oh Death, oh Death, where is thy string." The oral tradition is unmistakably. The chapter then concludes with the song--- a cathartic release.

We versus our is the diction demonstrated. The author, appeals to the intellect, although there are times when Peter Siner reveals some emotion. The characters last name is a bit peculiar. The author appears to be paradoxical as Siner is the protagonist, but his name says he is, well not. Fairly good, are the words that come to mind when evaluating Stribing's: imitation. The work sparked others and "Birthright" passes on the tradition through a different eye. Stribling succeeds.

Citation:

Lewis, David, ed. Harlem Renaissance Reader. New You city: Penguin Group, 1994.

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