Question

Which book, by Alain Locke, was a major force behind the Harlem Renaissance?

Answer 1

Alain Locke's book 'The New Negro' was a key influencer of the Harlem Renaissance, advocating for pan-Africanism and Black cultural assertion.

Step-by-step explanation:

The book by Alain Locke that was a major force behind the Harlem Renaissance is known as The New Negro, published in 1925. This anthology is often regarded as a manifesto of the movement, advocating for a pan-African perspective in art and literature, as opposed to a European-centric view. It emphasized African-American assertiveness and self-confidence, which became a cornerstone in redefining African-American identity during the 1920s. The Harlem Renaissance was a cultural revival led by intellectuals like Locke, who saw art as a means of improving the lives of African Americans and laying a foundation for the future Civil Rights Movement. Writers such as Langston Hughes, Richard Wright, and Zora Neale Hurston were influenced by Locke's vision and developed a literature that was reflective of their African heritage and the experience of Black Americans.