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Jaukayla Ridges
English 101
Professor Summerville
3 May 2018
Harlem Renaissance: A Cultural Shock in Writing
One of the most popular folktales of the African American culture is the Harlem
Renaissance. When you think of the words Harlem Renaissance, you’ll most likely began to
think of music and art, but Harlem Renaissance was also a huge cultural movement. The
Renaissance of Harlem played a very important role in folk belief. A lot of black personality
came from folktales, they often imitated characters from folktales they heard about growing up.
So, when a lot of African Americans migrated up north to Harlem it was as if everyone was
living in a folk fantasy since they were finally able to express themselves. Zora Neal Hurston,
Langston Hughes, and W.E.B. Du Bois were all promising products of the Harlem Renaissance.
Zora Neal Hurston, a Harlem Renaissance writer and folklorist, was inspired by Afro-
American folktales. Her famous book, Mules and Men, was a collection of folklore. She is by
far the most popular folklorist of the Harlem Renaissance. She is best known for her book, Their
Eyes Were Watching God. She wrote this book during the time that racism had started gaining
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its legitimacy. Writers during this time were encouraged to write more uplifting passages, so the
novel reflected that vision. The book depicted the trials and tribulations the main character,
Janie, faced as a young woman with different men. In the end he prevails and realizes her own
strength and power.
Although the novel was published in 1937, the book is still very vital in today’s society.
Yes, the book is eight decades old, but the message and lesson are still the same. It was required
for me to read this book during my junior year in high school. The book was very elevating and
powerful. Hurston teaches young women that you do not always need a man to feel complete.
