The Harlem Renaissance (1918–1937) was the most influential
single movement in African American literary history. Its key
figures include W. E. B. Du Bois, Nella Larsen, Zora Neale Hurston,
Claude McKay, and Langston Hughes. The movement laid the groundwork
for all later African American literature, and had an enormous
impact on later black literature world-wide. With chapters by a
wide range of well-known scholars, this Companion is an
authoritative and engaging guide to the movement. It first
discusses the historical contexts of the Harlem Renaissance, both
national and international; then presents original discussions of a
wide array of authors and texts; and finally treats the reputation
of the movement in later years. Giving full play to the
disagreements and differences that energized the renaissance, this
Companion presents the best of current wisdom as well as a set of
new readings encouraging further exploration of this dynamic
field.
· The most accessible and comprehensive student book available on
the Harlem Renaissance · Covers the cultural and historical
contexts as well as individual authors and works in depth ·
Features a chronology and guide to further reading