TL Mid-Term Poem

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo, vwo
• Leerjaar 4-6

Lesson Aims

At the end of this lesson you will have learned...

• ... that literature is a way to freedom;
• ... what the Harlem Renaissance was;
• ... what the Reconstrction Era, the Civil War and the Jim Crow laws have in common.
• ... more about black voices in America.

I Hear America Singing

I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear,

Those of mechanics, each one singing his as it should be blithe and strong,

The carpenter singing his as he measures his plank or beam,

The mason singing his as he makes ready for work, or leaves off work,

The boatman singing what belongs to him in his boat, the deckhand singing on the steamboat deck,

The shoemaker singing as he sits on his bench, the hatter singing as he stands,

The wood-cutter’s song, the ploughboy’s on his way in the morning, or at noon intermission or at sundown,

The delicious singing of the mother, or of the young wife at work, or of the girl sewing or washing,

Each singing what belongs to him or her and to none else,

The day what belongs to the day—at night the party of young fellows, robust, friendly,

Singing with open mouths their strong melodious songs.

Think about the following:

1. Who could have written this poem?
2. What is described in this poem?
3. Who are described in this poem?
4. What are they doing? 
5. Is all of America portrayed? Why?

Midsummer Night in Harlem -  Palmer Hayden (1936)

Harlem Renaissance

Watch the video and write down the most important elements from the Harlem Renaissance.

Harlem Renaissance

Harlem Renaissance

•  1920s
• Migration from the South to Harlem (NYC)
• Venues & music in Harlem 
• Literary works
• The New Negro Movement - more civil and political rights by using music, literature & art

From slaves 

to free men

and women.

From South 

To North. 

From nameless to having a culture

 of your own. 

Let's go back in time to understand the renaissance...

The Civil War

After the Civil War

The Reconstruction Era (1865-1877)

New amendments:

13th - abolishing slavery

14th - equal protection for everyone

15th - the right to vote for all men

BUT Black codes (Jim Crow Laws)  were started in the Southern States.

Think about the following:

1. Why do they send him to the kitchen?
2. How does he react to being sent away?
3. What will they be ashamed about?
4. What does the writer do by saying;
   I too sing America.

In what ways is this poem an answer to Whitman's poem?

Discuss together

Is the second poem still relevant in today's America?

Can you come up with any recent examples?

Lesson Aims

Have you learned...

• ... that literature is a way to freedom?
• ... what the Harlem Renaissance was?
• ... what the Reconstrion Era, the Civil War and the Jim Crow laws have in common?
• ... more about black voices in America?