2. Poetry Before and after emancipation, blacks were forced to suppress their thoughts and feelings. Through works of art, these people were able to express themselves and it gave them power.
3. Thesis: These are the voices, through poetry, of the oppressed, of an entire population that has been beaten down and given no visible chances to rise and overcome.
4. Clarissa Scott Delany • A short but powerfully full life • Social worker • Educator • Poet
5. Her Poetry • Channeled intense emotion into her work • Often used common Harlem Renaissance themes • Portray strong messages such as perseverance and hope
6. "The Mask" • Portrays black women of that time period and their struggles with society • The Mask Symbolized strength and perseverance
7. "The Mask" So detached and cool she is No motion e’er betrays The secret life within her soul, The anguish of her days. She seems to look upon the world With cold ironic eyes, To spurn emotion’s fevered sway, To scoff at tears and sighs. But once a woman with a child Passed by her on the street, And once she heard from casual lips A man’s name, bitter-sweet. Such baffled yearning in her eyes, Such pain upon her face! I turned aside until the mask Was slipped once more in place.
10. (No header) • Motivated by a rough childhood • First hand experience with racism and prejudice • Understood the power of words
11. "Still I Rise" • African american women's struggles against racism and hatred from society • Encouraged oppressed people to rise to fight in justices • And to continue ti live despite all the difficulties
13. "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" • Personal cage of racism, sexism, insecurity, poverty, and abuse • Singing is all Angelou's Bird can do •
16. His Poetry • Showcased the dignity and beauty in ordinary black life • Affected and inspired by hie hours spent in Harlem clubs • Promoted equality • Condemned racism and injustice • Celebrated African American culture, humor, and spirituality
17. "Still Here" • Describes the conditions slaves lived through • Through it all, they're still here
18. been scared and battered. My hopes the wind done scattered. Snow has friz me, Sun has baked me, Looks like between 'em they done Tried to make me Stop laughin', stop lovin', stop livin'-- But I don't care! I'm still here!
19. "I Too Sing America" • Envisions a day when whites and blacks will eat "at the table" together • When black citizen will truly be classified as equal Americans
20. I, too, sing America. I am the darker brother. They send me to eat in the kitchen When company comes, But I laugh, And eat well, And grow strong.
21. Tomorrow, I’ll be at the table When company comes. Nobody’ll dare Say to me, “Eat in the kitchen,” Then. Besides, They’ll see how beautiful I am And be ashamed— I, too, am America.
22. "Mother to Son" • Alludes to Jacobs Ladder • If she endures her struggles she can eventually ascend to the highest • "Promised land"
24. (No header) • Only a small portion of the vast number of people speaking out • Catalysts • Spoke of freedom, of being caged, of having to wear masks • How beautiful their culture is
25. Words are powerful • Potential not just inhibitors • Being caged, but longing to fly • Spoke in a language all of their people understood: Passion
