Naz Erdeger
Mrs. Parkinson
English IIIB
8 March 2016
Cullens’ importance to Society
Between the 1920’s and 1930’s, African-Americans started to move to the urban areas of America. The Harlem Renaissance brought intellectual and artistic diversity to America. This was an influential movement because it brought forth the culture of African-Americans. One of the poets of that time was Countee Cullen. As a leading light in the Harlem Renaissance, his poem “Tableau” became very popular. In this poem, Cullen composes:
That lightening brilliant as a sword / Should blaze the path of thunder. (Cullen, 1925). “Tableau”
describes two white and black boys walking, locked arm in arm. The quote shows a metaphor, which
is critical. Back then, racism was very alive. It still is today. This is significant because it’s showing
that the boys are ignoring the judgement, which is very empowering. Cullen expresses his hope that
someday people of any color and walk arm in arm and not be criticized.
