harlem other (2) - Soka University Repository

THE
EVE
OF
HARLEM
THE
: OTHER
RENAISSANCE
WRITERS
(2)
Hisao
I.
The Climbers: a Story of Sun-kissed
KISHIMOTO
Sweetheart
by Yorke
Jones (1912)1)
In 1912 Yorke Jones wrote The. Climbers, a novel concerned
black culture and education.
is the narrator;
The characters
with
are Joseph Wade, who
Augustus Fairfax, the hero, David J. Holt and Robert
Wilson. After graduation
from Norwalk college, they go their separate
ways: Wade becomes a doctor in the South: Fairfax becomes a teacher;
and Wilson and Holt become ministers
in the North.
Later, when Holt holds the position of the president
State Normal
college, Farifax,
Wilson,
work together
as college staff.
Fairfax and Julia
get engaged.
An
old
photograph
of Rockford
and Holt's daughter,
sent
Julia,
fall in love and
to Fairfax
as a marriage
present reveals the hitherto unknown
drunk, is Fairfax's father. As a. result,
truth that Jester, the town
the black middle class Holt
family objects to the marriage.
leaves the town mistakenly
thinking
conveyed
Fairfax
Julia does not love him, but later,
to him.
The story
Lulia's true feelings are
ends with their marriage
59 -----
ceremony.
-----
Yorke Jones
introduces
My risibles
and
was
name.
Augustus
tall and thin—even
he as a blooded
brought
North ...
he became
was new
not so light
the black
future
racer ...
he was
the
future
hearted
light
man
bright,
hearted
because
is hopeful
parents;
in his studies .. .
...
to be very
Because he present
was
butt of fun.
they
(because
hopeful;
though
They, too, are thought
seem aumsing;
his present
because,
but while
is new and
yet it is a grave mistake
Jones'
characterization
had
of blacks
of Fairfax
at . that
to imagine
his
that
to his brother
in
this novel "lacks the restraint
an Ex-Colored
of industrial
...
Man.
education.
the State's
Negro's
to State
The author
right.
is the very stereotype
time and this passage,
novel as a whole, is flawed by repetition.
right
of slave
he seems amusing.2)
whites
the
restless
comical ....
child of Ham feels free of care,
Regretably,
that
As nervously
was thought
Fairfax
as he seemed
full of promise),
white,
smooth-
born
of fun and
his appearance
He was
he had made good progress
race are America's
to be very
Fairfax!
because he seemed so amusing
and
Fairfax's
between
to gauntness.
the college butt
light hearted
the
as follows:
were touched by the contrast
high-sounding
black,
which
Fairfax
Hugh M. Gloster
of Johnson's
like the
has stated
The Autobiography
Like Booker T. Washington,
Jones thinks
of
highly
Mr. Holt insist:
education
of the Negro
The child
education
that
echos Washington's
of the wage-earner
the capitalist's
views on this
-----
is not a gratuity,
60 -----
has the
child
issue
and
it is
same
has.4)
futhermore,
insists
that
" ...
Negroes
money
white folk's money will ...
in such a frenzy about
He points
equality
white
South
social equality
is baseless.
this baseless
into many,
of these
expressed
toward
remarks,
of blacks
is his black
in the works
In conclusion,
no more want
injustices
pessimistic
for this
and
of preceding
II.
The Conquest
the medium
the people of the
the once enslaved
is extremely
class
black
this novel is a statement
South through
betrays
socially with
with Negroes!
in the resolution
middle
"5)
the dread of social
to associate
Jones
of the black middle class and the sufferings
the white
social intercourse....
fear of social equality
in his characterization
The reason
or rather
people want to mingle socially
many
that
people) keep themselves
for this: first, "because
Negroes
people than white
In spite
Yet they (southern
out two reasons
Secondly,
will buy the same fine things
ideals
race.")
optimistic
of the novel.
which
are also
novelists.
of the merits
wrought
and demerits
by pressure
from
of a love story.
(1913) and The Forged Note (1915) by
Oscar Micheaux
Oscar Micheaux(1884-1951) published three novels before the Harlem
Renaissance:
The conquest: the Story of a Negro Pioneer in 1913, The
Forged Note: a Romance of the Darker Races in 1915: The Homesteader
in 1917. (In this article there is no commentary
about The Homesteader
because the book was unavailable.)
According to Bruce Kellner's
Dictionary for
the Era,
The Harlem Renaissance; a Historical
Oscar Micheaux
is introduced
as a black
pioneer film producer:
This son of former slaves began his career as a pullman car
porter, but when he saw an advertisement
61 ----
for cheap land on an
----
Indian Reservation,
within
became intersted
five years
he had expanded
He lost his land in his twenties
so he became
subject
a writer
matter.
When
the
Micheaux
his film was not accepted;
Film
Corporation.
Lafayette
Many
Players
for example,
developed
usually
dishonesty,
using
films
Company
films
wanted
because
The
Homesteader,
Micheaux
of performers,
are noteworthy:
to his southern
to start
Paul Robeson
black
played
and
None of Micheaux's
and bankruptcy
investors,
stronger
student
college,
members
of the
on Charles
W. Chesnutt's
figure,
traveling
fur coats.
caught
acclaim
arotInd
because
only to be
community;
year,
largely
the thirties
of his insistence
----
62 ----
on light-skinned
from
wearing
big
on a shoestring,
risks in 1928.
with backing
the criticism
but he must
the country
He always operated
up with his extravagant
the following
but during
returns
novel.
to movie house in flashy automobiles,
hats and full-lenght
reorganized
a black
films had any critical
have been an imposing
house
Tucker.
in Body and Soul; and The House Behind the
Cedars (1923) was based
movie
white
and
Our Gates (1920) is.
(1924), a black Harvard
by both
he had
light skinned
about lynchi,ng; in Birthright
opposed
Preer,
soon,
such as Lorenzo
Within
all
used actors from
usually
stars
to
the Micheaux
Agnes in The Homesteader—but
hometown
to film
in the beginning—Evely
of Hollywood
for
his proposal
he founded
followed
black audiences.
his own stable
in emulation
his own experiences
to sell his books.
instead
Stock Company
played
A few of the
because of his inlaws'
he refused
direct
filmed for exclusively
homestead.
Picture
The Homesteader
and
Dakota
had a talent
Motion
and ranching
his South
for pulps,
Lincoln
Micheaux's
in farming
He
from white
of his work
performers
grew
and
depictions
Looking
of stereotypical
at Micheaux's
Conquest
and
Davereaux,
behavior.7)
careers,
The Forged
there
Note are
seem to be no duobt that
autobiographical
the hero in The Coquest (Devereaux
name
was Oscar
black
farmer.
Micheaux),
Using
him
the
parents
throw
changes
jobs frequently
suggests
was the bright
excuse
that
out of his home
seeking
at the
saves
his wages
when part of an Indian
obtain
of greater
in love with
Jessie,
a railroad,
engagement
struggles
falls
and then
in the introduction
that
discontented
and the
discontent."
Although
the Black
version
There
politicians.
with
in a
etc.
He
as a porter,
struggles
During
a Scotch
Orlean,
is a true
circumstances
this
and
to
as porter
he climbs
time he falls
who are trying
to
girl—concealing
the
daughter
of
of a negro
were
the
that
of the American
his
Rev.
states
who was
outcome
of that
it is also happens
to be
Dream:
factions
of the negro
and Reactionaries.
The Progressives,
Micheaux
story
this is "a true story,"
education
He
her.
"this
as Progressives
industrial
numerous
to Booker T. Washington
are two distinct
be classed
Miss
divorces
This novel was dedicated
and tips
success.
with
to Jessie—marries
McCraline
boy, porter,
with the developers
in love
his
he works
more money working
Overcoming
and greater
business
is put up for sale, he manages
After saving
to homesteading.
the ladder
build
reservation
it for 2500 dollars.
he turns
from
learn
his situation:
as a shoe shine
money
the author's
age of seventeen.
coal mine and in a coal chute,
considerable
Oscar
but lazy son of a rich
he must
to better
novels.
The
race,
who might
somewhat
like the
led by Booker T. Washington
as the
material
63 -----
idea,
and
are good, active
-----
citizens;
while the other class distinctly
contend
for more equal rights,
all very logical, indeed,
with
any concrete
race
for the
depredations
is anti-DuBois
Micheaux's
second novel,
Sydney
Wyeth,
Sydney
and Mildreds
novelist,
depending
aind pro-Booker
of selling
encounter
many
One day a strange
sickness,
and
makes
he leaves
back and confesses
In the final stage
Mildred
last,
town.
befalls
his writer's
with
sickness
she becomes
intuition,
he can do nothing
During
Sydney
he reads
for her and
and Mildred
the next few months
it a success.
When
But he realizes
takes
care
she takes
over
he recovers
from
his love for her,
his
comes
But then she leaves town suddenly.
a nun. He waits
This love story contains
The story starts
At first sight
Sydney gets information
he is able to meet
as a love story.
to find him.
his love to her.
has become
of The
She sets off to search for him selling books,
malady
of him in the hospital.
his business
With
in her face, however,
struggles
white
T. Washington.
o,ne year prior to his strange
in his life.
but after
of the entire
sells books by himself.
town.
on loud demands,
books is treated
the central
leaves for another
heir demands
The Forged Note, is a continuation
books in Cinncinatti.
the dark fortune
largely
which is
of a f ew. 9
when he is selling
person
and protection,
given to the condemnation
His experience
in every way,
but they do not substantiate
This outlook
Conquest.
privileges,
policies;
and are too much
reactionary
at an ex-slave
for her
at the
market
market
that
and, at
her again.
some sub-themes,
confronting
blacks.
In Effingham
was among
the black population.
such as the social problems
at that
time
Sydney
points
64
80% of all murders
out,
however,
that
-----
elite
blacks
do not
And,
as he met
so little
have
These
Negro
ing about
the
and
searching
reason
lack
concrete
helps
elite,
he was surprised
condition
that
of the masses.
habit
...
In other
and
they paid
Murder,
words,
as we
"They
never
think
noth-
of the
man's
falling:
a good
observation.
"12
which
have
a marked
there
are
the
upon
their
desire
people
care
discovers
the
were
the
of ill training,
victims
ignorance,
he enumerates
face
child
people
is facing.
dozen
roast
small
play.
the
the
little
Crime,
It is a distress-
A library
and
hot days
children
In Effingham,
of the
and
long
homes,
have
or give
therefore,
in time,
parks,
little
bodies,
will,
...
large
stuffy
Black
their
...
conditions
in their
alleys.
to exercise
for
Sydney
conclusion,
During
must
of which
no place
"his
existing
use exclusively.
play,
problem
In
state
a half
people
only
problem:
effect
perhaps
they
time.I")
] was not open to colored
ing condition
They
something,
and this was the result
of the
black
proper.
to learn
sources
of civic
a fourth
trying
for the
black
says:
are nigga's
having
and gaming,
for white
his books
in Effingham
for the
causes
to sell
up and
This [library
mer,
more
to the
reading
dressing
of liquor
problems:
"10)
who
After
such
seen, was an establised
]Palmer
for
about
the
attention
worries.
Miss
worry
all
sum-
perhaps
no place
to
free
to
is their
vent
greatest
environment.13)
Considering
hundred
the
churches
situation
never
Sydney
encouraged
is resentful
the
65 ----
people
that
to read
"more
than
anything
a
but
the
Bible."")
He criticizes
people for their
Strangely,
ment.
lack of concern
who threatens
Latham
her.
comes to know
during
his business
pocketed
this
belonging
the
title
seems
to indicate
is actually
a romance
with peripheral
Blood
(1915)
This is a melodramatic
a rich man,
identity
and then resumes
The first scene
incurs
takes
wealthy
man named
serious
wound.
he meets
father,
an ex-
to become
otherwise,
bishop.
the
by Williams
a happy
concerns.
M. Ashby"'
Park
of her
when
a
falls off his horse and recieves
a
beauty
and
her.
They
he marries
her identity
life.
Birch
by
which
upon the revelation
place in Central
Attracted
situation
to the main story,
environmental
a catastrophy
Stanton
his nurse,
in New York
kindness
have
of Miss
a son and
Zelda
lead
a
life.
Mr. Birch
hires a new chef named
Mrs. Birch and knows
her secret,
exhausted.
black.
her address.
novel about a lady who conceals
marries
reveal
Mildred's
to the church
note is the incidental
happy
by a man
from a person
that
the forged
Marston,
best
by blacks.
she changes
concerning
Redder
the
who know of the theft, forced Mildred to get married
Although
III.
committed
situatidn
It seems
money
A rich merchant,
him.
trips.
even
girl is foreshadowed
he appears
about
and
The Forged Note is a mere supple-
a mystery
Everytime
Sydney
preachers,
with crime
the title of the novel,
Mildred
minster,
teachers,
she has black blood.
and as a result,
Finally,
Mr. Birch
that
Leon
becomes
Leon, who is an
reveals
upset
He threatens
she become mentally
to Mr. Birch . that
and leaves
66 -----
old friend
her to
and physically
his
for Europe.
-----
of
wife
is a
One
days
year
later
doing
Zelda
charity
work.
is unhappy
because
is playing
her
visits
her.
husband's
This
M. Asbhy
two
persons
nor
is still
tune
states
on
she
as
in Europe,
evening
piano
her
as Zelda
her
husband
follows:
other
great
spends
traveling
the
— and,
love each
are
where
her. One stormy
however,
law
Jersey
who
forget
favorite
does say,
convention,
apart.
Mr. Birch,
book
where
in New
he cannot
William
The
settles
I hope,
deeply
enough
strongly,
neither
barriers
--
that
custom,
to
nor
keep
them
..16)
is clearly
the
theme
of this
novel.
The
in essence
...
fundamental
idea
is
that:
....
we
basis,
are
the essence,
has the
same
I,n the
beginning
thinks
that
Southern
when
Negro
problem,
out to her
think
son
Adrian
I could
mix
redder,
mine
redeer
not
cannot
sort
my pure
his father
by unjust
a Negro
problem,
American
with
of prejudice
are of to-day,
blood,—the
idealistic.
you
newer
corpuscles
67 ----
the
being
Mr. Birch
it is not
problem.
his stand.
of thing."")
hate;
one human
up a world
blood
case
another.17)
he changes
build
in any
are
live
is revealed
but
makes
make
Mrs. Birch
"is
is not that
accuses
.ago,
and
that
that
is a human,
"you
You are moved
years
Mr.
identity
Love
cell,
parts
problem
it
husband,
as its basis.
the one little
both
the
same
fundamental
Mrs. Birch's
you
all the
She cries
He rebukes
stock?"24>
with
think
thoughts
the
of which
...
are
"Do
Their
his mother:
"My
not
color
her,
and sides
thoughts
"18) But
of love with
common
a
of fifty
blood
hate,
is
every
----
prejudice,
The
word
in the
"Our
boy
while.
It's
however,
cheapens
Lillian
later,
was
God's
posed
and
thought"
A year
questions
IV.
respect
"newer
novel.
he says,
worth
but
by the
kind
or "redder
when
Love
greatest
gift
novel.
The
it and makes
Simmons
for
blood"
Mr. Birch
right.
is the
others. "211
are
the
meets
simplistic
it seem
key concepts
Mrs. Birch
only thing
to men. "22) This
or the Conflict
Otis M. Shackleford
again,
in the
world
is the answer
solution
of the
to
novel,
melodramatic.
of Sections (1919) by
23)
This is a love story between
belle, and Charles Christopher,
in the North.
feeling
Lillian Simmons,
a Northern
black
a Southern black youth who is working
One day Charles quarrels with George Simmons, Lill-
ian's brother, about blacks.
As a result George instigates members of
his group to drive Charles
out of town
with the accusation,
"the
Southern niggers spoiled our privileges. "24) Lillian, who has been the
object of Charles' devotion since they first met, realizes the gravity
of the situation and persuades Charles to leave town.
After the trouble George resigns from his job with the city and
leads an unstable life.
Because of George's bad reputation
his father
also loses his good standing and Lillian cannot even get a job.
family
fortune
steadily
The
declines.
Three years later, after Charles has saved a considerable amount of
money, he decides to return to town to start a business.
Just as he
arrives back in town Lillian is about to go South to teach.
Seeing
each other only briefly, they have to part.
Charles' business is prosterous,
his grocery.
On the testimony
but one night someone sets fire to
of a witness, George is arrested
68 ----
on
----
an arson charge.
This
marks
At the end of the story
who has mended
called
Charles
between
quarrel
Charles
his ways,
prejudice
taking
and Northern
is rapidly
or has taken
to Lillian
and
George,
together
with
Charles
conflict,
stance
that is the difference
toward
blacks.
so-styled
growing
deep root
all over
in your
bad Southern
Southern
During
blacks George expresses
this
city.
"niggers."
carry
your
ideas and prejudices
don't
need you to teach us any lessons.
...
a
his anger:
country.
This
and it would have come sooner or later regardless
of these
relationship.
Company.
with Charles about Southern
...
in their
a company
of this novel is interracial
the Southern
point
gets married
forms
and George
The subject
a turning
It is
is inevitable
of the conduct
You had
out of this
better
town.
We
And any advice to you is
to "beat it."25)
In answer
to George's
Your
white
people
that
the
connot
unless
Shackelford
Charles,
Northern
people
are white
racial
spoil
remarks,
maintains
of the sections
that
will assert
the
as follows:
this
itself.
That
between
of the novel.
George
negro
negroes,
race is aroused.26
quarrel between
A Business League has been organized
69
one bad
from this friction
by the sub-title
that
than water,
of good
of the other
ongoing
lesson, ...
blood is thicker
of a community
resulting
indicates that the reconcilation
"harmony and progress
,":
retorts
to learn
that
in the hearts
struggles
indicated
yet
people,
privileges
the prejudice
Lillians'
have
instinct
the
Charles
George
is the conflict
Moreover,
and Charles
with Charles
and
he
leads to
Christopher
----
as
its
president.
before
And
known
in
Northerners
in this
and
city.
business
this
city
harmony
among
the
are
ties
united
and
the
Southerners
They
and
such
progress
colored
was
people.
view
life
through
by the
ties
of friendship,
of matrimony.
It
never
the
is difficult
same
glass
by ties
to
break
of
such
a combination.27
He
added
that
ties
of
matrimony
even
the
if it does
invite
are
furnish
employment
not
to
fundamental
"
. If
need
both
life
races
the
accord
worthy
to
of Booker
yours
...
There
"29)
idea
of . Negro
benefit
and
the
higher
This
aim.
girls
or security
The
They
race
of
in
and
learning
with
his
the
address:
civil,
the
and
interests
for any
of
of us except
of all. "30)
characters
hero
the
commercial,
development
"separate
accords
make
the
race.
courses
shall
main
that
of
thought
and
enterprise,
to the
expressed
that
of the
business,
insists
industrial,
a way
and
Washington's
the
boys
is no defence
intelligence
of
Washington
our
in
characterization
with
pursue
T.
with
ties
a positive
them
interlacing
one
the
the
be ...
hightest
Even
are
in
the
"28? Shackleford
but
them
excel
idea
riligious
in
for
to
to
segregation.
for
strive
"converted
harmful,
inducements
and
of friendship,
are
schools
are
ties
seems
Charles
to
is described
be
in
as fol-
lows:
...
his
thoughts
had
a high
aim
him
on
of
the
On the
step
by
Southern
other
is characterized
hand
were
in
step
life;
pure
that
until
and
his
it was
he had
ideals
this
completed
were
lofty;
that
he
aim
which
had
led
education
in
one
high
his
Colleges.31)
George,
who
is handsome
as follows:
70
with
light
brown
skin,
He also
which
had
an
is usually
of
freedom
in evidence
colored
ceptibly
when
he spoke
. . .32)
healthy,
vigorous,
and
training
had
not
piano, playing
people.
been
to be perfect
actress
are
portraying
V.
in any
Theatre.
a love
It almost
produced
seems
Northern
is "a girl
Both
to the author,
whose
and
and Lillian
as if an actor
M. Shackleford
per-
sewing,
George
between
him
showed
Cooking,
friendship
by Otis
According
line.
and
spirit
Lillian
"33)
about
born
and high
optimistic
love and the
in a play
T. Washington
is merely
His training
neglected
person.
independence
Northern
were her accomplishments.
appear
North
and
with
educated
Beautiful,
the
air
and
the South
at
the
however,
an
and
Booker
this novel
story.
The American
by Henry
Cavalryman
F. Downing.
: a Liberian
Romance
(1917)
34)
Calvert, a wealthy white man living in New York, has two secrets.
The first is that he had a daughter
twenty year ago.
with a native woman in Africa
The second is that he has a sister who is a negress.
The novel is the story of his sister's son, Paul Dale, and a Liberian
girl named Lupelta.
Paul is a captain serving the Liberian president.
One day he rescues
a native girl Lupelta from Chief Lodango and falls in love with her.
He educates her and teaches her to be a cultivated lady.
On another
occasion he helps a young inbunda tribe member, Whreabo, from being
abused
by
hostility.
the
princess
Muffy,
With
a relative
the
hand,
of the
president.
president
he plots
dispatching
him
71
This
to entrap
to
a
Paul
dangerous
provokes
Muffy's
in order
to win
district.
When
Lupelta
and
Lodango
kidnaps
nessed
princess
them
the scene
Paul rescues
them
Lupelta
who also loves Paul,
on the
informs
Chief Mwambo.
says
Hulda,
orders
of Muffy.
Paul of the news.
from the precarious
go on
Whreabo,
After
situation.
a picnic.
who
many
wit-
difficulties
with the help of the
Just before he rescues them Paul receives
a letter that
is a white.
The last scene is a happy one of the Dales in New York three years
later.
Princess
is actually
Hulda is now Paul's
Mr. Calvert's
daughter
wife.
It turns
out
that
who has been missing
Lupelta
for twenty
years.
According
to Hugh
Spingarn
brothers,"
National
Assoiation
E. Spingarn
M. Gloster,
this
that is, Arthur
novel
B. Spingarn
for the advancement
(the chairman
concerns
except
resources
of Liberia.
all his efforts to this
concern.
People) and Joel
the dedication
with virtually
is
no ideological
of the agricultural
to the Unite States,
He makes
of the
in 1973, which is reprinted
the minor one of the development
Upon returning
to "the
(vice-president
However,
printed
This is a romance
dedicated
of Colored
of the board).
not found in the AMS Press version
from the 1917 edition.
was
Paul devotes
the following
statement
to
his wife:
The so-called
wish
leader,
me further;
Anyhow,
absorbed
who now fatten
but
if I succeded,
the
the
by some European
majority
country
power,
on the State,
of the
doubtless
people
will be saved
and that
will
from
will
rejoice.
being
will be something
gained. 35)
This statement
lacks
concrete aspects arid this
novel as a whole.
----- 72 ------
is the limitation
of the
VI.
The Immediate
Jewel of His Soul (1919) by Herman
Dreer36
William Smith is a brilliant,
active youth who was the president
of a young people's circle and a member of a choir.
high school he works on his uncle's plantation
he witnesses
a lynching
become a minister
He graduates
After graduating
in the south.
When
scene by a white mob there, he decides to
to save black people.
college, attends
a theoligical
seminary,
and then is
ordained to be a minister.
The speech he gives at his appointment
ceremony arouses antipathy
among the clergy present.
mark made at the Ministrial
Conference worses the situation so he is
not even allowed to preach.
Moreover, his chances to be become a
Another
re-
lawyer or teacher are also deferred because of his subversive thoughts.
Finally, after many long struggles he is permitted to become minister.
At a party Reverend Smith sees his old friends.
and Susan Lee, who are in love with him.
to Susan to whom has been attracted
Thelma
Haskell
Smith confesses his love
since high school.
The next spring Smith buys a 600-acre farm about 80 miles from
Seaton where he builds his home, church, and an experimental
farm.
The farm is operated by both blacks and whites.
Susan,
who runs a music school,
proposal,
but when she visits Smith's
with her.
Smith's
Thelma,
is awaiting
The ..success of Smith's
than Susan,
also visits
win to his heart.
farm is threatening
his conversion of many good black Christians
of wine dealers.
marriage
farm he is too busy to talk
who is more agressive
farm i;n an attempt
Smith's
to whites.
Moreover,
arouses the displeasure
As a result, there is an increase in the tension bet73 -----
-----
ween whites
problem
and blacks.
she hurries
Susan arrives
Cocurrent
As soon as Thelma
to the farm
to organize
at the farm there is tension
with this love triangle
situation
instigated
by the
tension
Susan faints.
When Susan recovers
heart
She realizes
and she leaves
Reverend
Smith's
the farm
with ours during
to be illegally
be found only after
have
in their
French,
veins
and Germans
cans, nothing
insists
minister.
...
of
equality
Democracy
of
on the
has won the reverend's
are expressed
at the appoint-
fifty years of slavery
that
the Negro among
search ...
the
and contiiues
us is to
Many of my brethren
proudest
blood
we were born in America
of
...
Anglo-Saxon,
we are Ameri-
he objects to separate
schools and
of all people:
means
mixed
ask for separate
and by character
and the collaboration
"So much white blood was mixt
else. "37} So naturally
on the
never
blacks
of patient
some
re-
she finds that everyone
in the South,
years
Reverend
to the
alone.
the two hundred
mingling
and herself.
Smith
that Thelma
ideas about
ment where he is appointed
When
Succumbing
While she is unconscious,
sensible
of this
is in the explosive
mob outside.
with the help of the mayor
farm is cerebrating.
Thelma
inside the farm
white
aware
for self-defence.
between
solves the crisis
whites.
becomes
and
schools
schools.
with
mixed faculties
Let us enter
scholarship
these
show our selves
.. let us
strongholds
the
equal
of
all people.38
He adds
that
the church's
work
ledge to all people and preaches
is to hasten
that
We must be JUST like HIM" and that
intelligence.
brings
them
the
spread
"God is no respecter
"ignorance
together. "39) Moreover,
74 ----
of knowof persons.
keeps people apart,
he maintains
that
"poverty
is the mother of vice
, crime, and most uncleanness.
He believs.
contrary
to the adage that "Money is the root of most evil," that
"the lack of money has been the root of most evil ." As the purpose
of life, Reverend
the Church
speech
arouses
atheistic
establishing
to realize
antipathy
to spur others
Upon
farm
returning
under
of others,
of those
among
about
K. K. threatens
Reverend
streets
can I
very forcibly
was made
flesh
the
The educated
man
You want
Negro
never
a New South
Old things
you must
whthin
24
says:
The
tho(sic) later the Uncle
as well as I that
lyncht
commits
this
we permit
but
and
Old
have passed
have a New
75 -----
and
the K.
is the new Negro.
has been
is the curprit
is impossible.
a New South,
man
Eventually
circumstances
You know
not a colored
results
him to leave town
and Rev. Smith
is also passing.
the quillty
combination
have
the word
shown .in the "Birth of Nation,"
...
of the church
yeilds convincing
Smith telling
This is a new South,
where,
and
and achieve,
for white people.
who understands
last ten years
ministry
us.41
become a threat
for rape.
to the
is
then ever, for not in trying
me ...
so his activities
Tom type,
is the
who feel there
but I can indicate
of his speech and action
A white
This
the auspices
now is more effective
The consistency
scoundrel
the clergy
to get a thoro (sic.) education
the attainment
hours.
man.")
he says:
to the success
and dwelt
to every
among
it.
an experimental
his ideals,
"If we can live the life of Christ,
its influence
about
My preaching
point
concludes,
will extend
which
something
Smith
Negro,
in the
in this
state
crime
any-
to loaf in the
Negro.
away.
And
The
If you
I don't
-----
bite
my
tongue
to say that
Rev.
Smith
is the kind
the
South
wants . . . .42)
This novel is the first to describe
Reverend
Smith,
prince."
sion.
the
new
The author's
Negro
pride
comes for me to marry
as a "genuine
Thelma
insists
"...
and I see the man I want,
the
I'll make
no escape.
We'll fight it out if it takes all summer.
fighting
Smith and a precursor
of the strong woman.
hundreds
published
leader
who had the gratest
T. Washington.
by Rabelais
the affections
on black literature
was Booker
sprang up almost
in the night and entered
of black and white ...
He emphasized
stantly
increasing
force for us to seek the paramount
nation,
political
dious
criticism
DuBois kept hammering
eco-
away with conforce in a
freedom.44}
DuBois's
Although
novel, Reverend
Reverend
Jewel of His Soul the
Then
novel.
Fran-
During the early twenty
nomic freedom ...
Recognizing
in
Dreer says of him:
Booker T. Washington
securely
O'Hara
to protect
The Immediate
influence
will be
If I lose, I will
of Scarlett
in Gargantua
She is a angel
when Dreer
when the time
fight of my life to get him : there
Gone with the Wind or Abby Thelema
cois (? 1495 - c.1553).
to Susan
I do not promise
to wait ...
have made a good fight. "43) She is reminicent
black
woman in
in contrast
that
by
in this expres-
a new, liberated
and self-assertive
and waits."
Symbolized
black is evident
in depicting
who is individualistic
who is "patient
is described
in being
The novel is also unique
Thelma,
"the New Negro."
ideas
marks
the appearance
Smith's
progress
stage
of black
of the New Negro is a plus for this
long speeches
and supporting
in this
arguments
76 ----
and
the
other
interrupt
the
ministers'
te-
flow of the
novel.
Moreover,
readers
are annoyed by the repetitive
sions such as "never stop.t." "askt the president,"
"I say unto you"
, etc. 45)
VII.
At the
Dawn
of the Harlem
The rise of the so-called
These
are
can classified
1) Nogro
Harlem
as internal
the Whites.
gentsia
factor
has several
and external.
The
Vogue in the World 2) the Great
The internal
factors
is dominant.
of how the novelists
factors
and World
between
are 1) the Birth
sources.
external
Migration
Relationship
Blacks
and
of a Black Intelli-
It is very difficult to clarify
It is also difficult
which
Rev. Stone,
Renaissance
and 2) the New Negro Movement.
which
"remarkt
Renaissance
War I 3) the Jazz Age and 4) the
use of expres-
to answer
have been discussed
the question
so far influenced
the
black renaissance.
The convention
adapted
of a black novel with a mulatto
in Flight(1926)
Chinaberry
Johnson,
James
Vechten
and political
racial
consciousness
group
during
Quicksand
such as James
close friends
.Though
of Carl
bringing
the
and Asia
controversy
77 ----
. Carl
up the
it was . poor, from a
Dark Princess,
He was one of the first writers
in Africa
Van
The Autobiography
1927), thereby
W. E. B. DuBois published
The
F. Downing.
advice he republished
A. Knopf,
(1928) and
(1929) and
and Henry
Renaissance.
novel in 1928.
Bun
on by authors
was one of the
Man (Alfred
of the Harlem
standpoint,
attacking
M. Ashby
and on Van Vechten's
rear guard
black
William
Plum
and Passing
and then carried
Weldon Johnson
of an Ex-Colored
literary
White;
(1931) by Jessie Fauset;
(1928) by Nella Larsen
Weldon
by Walter
hero or heroiane was
a moral
to link
and the leader
of the
Van Vechten's
Nigger
----
Heaven.
He was
anti-Harlemist.
His criticizm
of Claude
McKay's
Crisis in 1928— "Home to Harlem for the most part nauseates
after
the dirtier
clarly
indicates
Johnson
parts of its filth I feel distinctly
his attitude
was on the
towards
opposite
Harlem
he evaluated
School.
side of the
Claude McKey
Along This Way further
Through
and
testifies
prize
for black
the
Jean
adovocate
Toomer
DuBois contributed
Johnson
published
brother
strictest
and
the fact
writers
in his autobiography
and poets
did
sense but it contributed
Renaissance.
P. and most
As one of the top black
Both Johnson
people agree
James
Negro Spirituals
not
founded
and they took the role
in many ways to this era.
This
that
to this.
the Book of American
Rosamond.
during
of Van Vechten
Renaissance,
the rear guard for the Renaissance.
leaders,
his
after
controversy,
The Crisis, W. E. B. DuBois and Charles S. Johnson
its literary
of the
Even
a bath,"")
the Harlemist.
Nigger Heaven's storm he was the staunchest
and the
like taking
me, and
qualify
greatly
as
Weldon
in 1925 with
literature
to the development
in the
of the
and DuBois were leaders of the N. A. A. C.
that
they
contributed
to the
advancement
of black people.
It is very difficult
the
Harlem
Renaissance.
Henry Downing
Africa"
out the contribution
However,
gave George Schyler
in Slaves Today (1931).
black woman
Reverend
Although
Oscar Micheaux
and he contributed
greatly
Dreer, heralded
his depictions
of his immediate
was a filmmaker
to black culture.
major and minor writers
were the
----
78
rather
to
Cavalryman . by
the idea of treating
Herman
in terms
of minor writers
The American
and black pride through
Smith.
Renaissance,
these
to point
"welfare
to
individualistic
of Thelma
influnce
and
on the
than a novelist
One can safely say that
impetus
for the New Negro
Movement
literary
and
the
movements
Harlem
Renaissance,
but extraodinarily
which
exciting
were
cultural
not
merely
a
movement.
NOTES
1) Yorke Jones: Born 1861. Career: Minister. Poetry: Gold and Incense 1925.
*The Dictionary Catalog of the Schamburg Collection indicates that Jones is
a "Negro
author,"
but not an "American
Negro author
(Theressa Gunnels
Rush: Black American Writers, Past and Present: a Biographical
graphical Dictionary, The Scarecrow
hereafter referred to as BAWPP)
2)
3)
Yorke Jones,
ings Publishing
Hugh
Press, Inc., New Jersey.
The Climbers: a Story of Sun-kissed
Co., Chicago, 1912, pp.10-11.
M. Gloster,
Sweethearts,
and Biblio1975, p.444.
Glad Tid-
Negro Voices in American Fiction, Russell and Russell,
New York, 1965, p.83.
4)
Yorke Jones, op.cit., p.91.
5)
6)
Ibid., p.188.
Ibid., pp.188--189.
7)
Bruce Kellner. ed., The Harlem Renaissance: a Historical Dictionary for
the Era, Connecticut, Greenwood Press, 1984, pp.241-242.
8) Oscar Micheaux, The Conquest: the Story of a Negro Pioneer, McGrath
Publishing
9)
10)
Micheaux,
Company, Maryland,
ibid., p. 251.
Micheaux, The Forged Note: a Romance of the Darker Races, Western Book
Supply Company, Nebraska, 1915, p.262.
11)
12)
Ibid., p.165.
Ibid., p.304.
13)
Ibid., pp.304-307.
14)
15)
1969, p.6.
Ibid., p.313.
Ashby, William Mobil:
Born 1889. Drama: The Road to Damacus: a Play in Seven Episodes, Boston,
Christopher, 1935. Short Story (periodical) , Opportunity 16 (November, 1938) :
329-330. (BAWPP p.38.)
16)
William M. Ashby, Redder Blood, The Cosmopolitan Press, New York, 1915,
p.5.
17) Ibid., pp.23-24.
79 -----
18)
Ibid., p.24.
19)
20)
Ibid., p.166.
21)
22)
Ibid.
Ibid., pp.169-170.
Ibid., p.186.
23)
Otis M. Shackleford:
Born 1871. Poetry and Essays, Seeking the Best: Dedicated to the Negro Youth,
Kansas City, Mo. Franklin Hudson, 1909 (BAWPP. p. 660.)
24)
Otis M. Shackleford, Lillian
Press, New York, 1975, p. 20.
25)
26)
Ibid., pp.21-23.
Ibid., pp.21-22.
27)
Ibid., p.200.
28)
Ibid.
29)
30)
Ibid.
32)
33)
34)
Ibid., p.19.
Ibid., p.28.
Simmons or the Conflict of Sections, AMS
Joanne Grant. ed., Black Protest: History
Fawcett Premier Book, Conn., 1968, p.197.
31) Ibid., p.16.
DOWNING, Henry Francis.
DRAMA
The Arabian
Documents
and Analyses,
A
Born 1851.
Lovers; or The Sacred Jar,
an Eastern
Tale in Four
Acts,
London: F. Griffiths, 1913.
Human Nature; or The Traduced Wife (An Original English Domestic Drama, in four acts) . London: F. Griffiths, 1913.
Incentive, 1914.
Lord Eldred's Other Daughter. London: F. Griffiths, 1913.
A New Coon, in Town, 1914.
Placing Paul's Play. London: F. Griffiths, 1913.
The Shuttlecock; or Israel in Russia. London: F. Griffiths. 1913..
Voodoo. London: F. Griffiths, 1914.
NON-FICTION
Liberia and Her People. New York, 1925.
A Short History of Liberia (1816-1908) . New York: Amos M. Gailliard, n. d.
80
NOVEL
The
American
reprint
Cavalryman:
A Liberian
ed., Washington,
Romance.
D. C.: McGrath,
New York:
1969 ; New
York:
Neale,
AMS
1917;
Press,
1969.
CRITICISM
Bone.
ON DOWNING
The Negro Novel in America,
p.49.
Negro Voices in American
Fiction,
Gloster.
pp.94-95.
REVIEWS
The American
15 (1918) : 186.
Hunt,
Ida Gibbs. Journal
F. Downing,
New York,
DREER,
Attended
The American
3 (October
Herman.
cum
1911-1914;
University,
received
laude.
earned
He attended
Theological
M. A. from University
of Illinois,
at the University
1914; taught
English
26; Professor
of English,
University,
Virginia
and Drama,
High School Principal
Stowe
St. Louis.
teaching
and academic
League;
Editor-in-Chief
Elected
1931;
Mo., 1938. Career:
Pro-
activities
were
He was campaign
director of the Car-
Psi Phi
Project;
director
of Sumner
to Phi Beta Kappa
at Bowdoin
of Negro
NON-FICTION
---- 81 ----
Life.
not
speaker
Omega
Plays
1910-
St. Louis, Mo., 1914-
Council;
of Oracle,
and Religious
Lynchburg,
1926-30; became Assistant
DRAMA
Plays
1930,
St. Louis, Mo. ; President
Dreer's
activities.
summer
of the St. Louis Welfare As-
Pan-Hellenic
History,
Professor
of its Negro Achievement
Club. Member:
College,
Lynchburg,
1916 and from Columbia
High School,
Teacher's
of the National
Seminary,
Seminary,
1930-. He was president
ter Woodson School of Negro
University,
Theological
Sumner
1910, and graduated
of Chicago,
St. Louis,
D. C. Education:
High School in Washing-
College,
Virginia
and Science,
treasurer
Romance, AMS
1889 in Washington,
an A. B. from Bowdoin
D. D. from Douglass
sociation;
a Liberian
School and the M. Street
1919; studied
fessor of Latin
Cavalryman:
Born 12 September
the Elementary
Historical
1918) : 444-445.
1973, p.306.
ton, D. C. He received
magna
of Negro History
p.232,)
Henry
Press,
36)
Man:
Crisis
(BAWPP.
35)
Cavalry
limited
only
to
for the Liberty
Magazine,
High
of Douglass
and
School's
College.
1
Director
Drama
American
Literature
The History
nity,
by Negro Authors.
New
York: Macmillan,
of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity,
Washington,
1950.
D. C.: The Frater-
1940.
Negro Leadership
in St
of Photographic
Louis: A Study in Race Relations,
Reproductions,
University
of Chicago,
Chicago:
Library
1955.
NOVELS
The Immediate
Jewel of His Soul, St. Louis,
Washington,
The Tie that
D. C.: McGrath,
Binds,
Boston:
Mo.: Argus,
1919; reprint
1969. New York: AMS Press,
Meador,
ed.,
1969.
1958.
Out of the Night, 1916.
BIOGRAPHY
Bone.
AND
CRITICISM
The Negro Novel in America,
Gayle. Black Expression
Negro Voices in American
Hughes.
The Negro Novelist,
University
Thomas,
ed.
Yenser,
1930-31-32,
Thomas
Yenser,
(BAWPP.
p.233.)
Herman
Fiction,
Dreer,
Who's
pp.118-122.
p.36.
A. and Earl N. Harbert,
1900, Madison:
Yenser,
p.35.
p.110.
Gloster.
Rees, Robert
37)
ON DREER
eds. Fifteen
of Wisconsin
Press,
American
Authors Before
1971. p.410.
Who in Colored America,
3rd ed.,
New
York:
AMS Press,
New
York,
p.135.
ed.., Who's Who in Colored America
The Immediate
Jewel of His Soul,
I
1.975 (ript.) , p. 59.
38)
Ibid.,
pp.61-62.
39)
Ibid.,
p.64.
40)
Ibid.,
pp. 66-67.
41)
Ibid.,
p.148.
42)
Ibid.,
pp.200-201.
43)
Ibid.,
p.115.
44)
Ibid.,
p.9.
45)
Ibid.,
pp.71-73.
46)
Review
of Home to Harlem
in Crisis
82
35(1928),
202, 211.