Quiz 3- Unit 2

In at least 150 words, discuss the unconscious symbol of whiteness that is examined in "The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain." Where does it come from, and why does it have the potential to be so damaging?

In "The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain" by Langston Hughes, the unconscious symbol of whiteness comes from middle or lower-class African-American households where there is a greater desire to be something more, to have something more than what they were given. This symbol becomes damaging to young African-Americans growing up in these households, as it causes them to believe that they must become white to be greater. In other words, they believe they must change their identity, and abandon their history and culture for something else just to rise in society. This builds an internal racist view towards themselves, leading to self-loathing and decreased self-worth.

In at least two hundred words, discuss the conclusion of "Arrangement in Black and White." Determine whether or not the conflict is resolved. What does this ending reveal about the main character?

The ending of the short story "Arrangement in Black and White", reveals that the main character is still racist and unable to change her views and character. Despite attempting to seem non-judgemental and progressive towards Blacks to the host and special guest, she continues to commit micro-aggressions throughout the party. For example, she will often pretend to be colorblind and not judge people based on the color of their skin. However, by doing so she denies that Walter Williams, the special guest belongs to a different culture and his experience as a Black man in America. She also continues this form of micro-aggression by claiming that we are all the same as the Lord made Mr. Williams just as He made anyone else. The main character further continues to act out micro-aggressions by cutting off her remarks before she can make a racist comment. One of which judges the appearance of a white actress for not looking "darker" than she first thought. This implies that the guest has a beauty standard that colored women cannot meet because of the color of their skin. Thus the conflict between her character being ignorant and racist is unresolved as she continues to commit micro-aggressions toward other guests.

In at least one hundred words, summarize "The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain."

"The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain" by Langston Hughes was an essay response to George Schuyler. In the essay, Hughes describes the internal and external challenges a Black artist must face throughout his life and career. These challenges, according to Hughes, include the continuous sense of inferiority many African-Americans experience through their identity as African-Americans. In other words, they are constantly led to the belief that in order to be successful, they must become white and demonstrate this in their artworks. Hugh argues that this is not true and to be successful one must embrace their culture, history, and identity as it can truly distinguish them from other artists.

According to "The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain," what is the difference between a poet and a Negro poet? Select all that apply.

>A Negro poet is not influenced by the standard of whiteness. >A poet fits within the mold of American standardization.

The woman with the pink velvet poppies twined round the assisted gold of her hair traversed the crowded room at an interesting gaitcombining a skip with a sidle, and clutched the lean arm of her host. *What can readers infer about the woman based on this excerpt from "Arrangement in Black and White"? Select all that apply.*

>She is elegantly dressed. >She is at a formal party.

The woman with the pink velvet poppies extended her hand at the length of her arm and held it so for all the world to see, until the Negro took it, shook it, and gave it back to her. "Oh, how do you do, Mr. Williams," she said. "Well how do you do. I've just been saying, I've enjoyed your singing so awfully much. I've been to your concerts, and we have you on the phonograph and everything. Oh, I just enjoy it!" She spoke with great distinctness, moving her lips meticulously, as if in parlance with the deaf. *What does this excerpt from "Arrangement in Black and White" suggest about the woman's behavior? Select all that apply.*

>She is more intent on pleasing herself than she is on pleasing the man. >She wants other people to see her.

How does the beginning of "The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain" relate to the conclusion? Select all that apply.

>The ending revisits a quote that was used in the beginning. >The ending is inspiring in contrast to the beginning.

Why did Langston Hughes write "The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain" as an essay, even though he was better known for his poetry? Select all that apply.

>The essay allows him to adopt a persuasive tone. >The essay allows him to express feelings more accurately.

According to "The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain," why do lower-class African Americans have a different sense of identity than upper-class African Americans? Select all that apply.

>They do not experience racism as much as others. >They do not care about how their identities fit into social standards.

At the beginning of the Harlem Renaissance, Alain Locke encouraged _____. Select all that apply.

>black artists to display pride in their heritage >the artistic representation of African American experiences

Satire is characterized by _____. Select all that apply.

>humor >irony

What are the writer's purposes for using irony in "Arrangement in Black and White"? Select all that apply.

>to emphasize the woman's contradictions >to ridicule the woman

But I must say for Burton, he's a heap broader-minded than lots of these Southerners. He's really awfully fond of colored people. Well, he says himself, he wouldn't have white servants...Why, every time he goes home, he goes out in the kitchen to see her. He does, really, to this day. All he says is, he says he hasn't got a word to say against colored people as long as they keep their place. He's always doing things for them, giving them clothes and I don't know what all. The only thing he says, he says he wouldn't sit down at the table with one for a million dollars. *What does this excerpt from "Arrangement in Black and White" imply about Burton's feelings toward African Americans?*

He views them as inferior to himself.

In "Arrangement in Black and White," why does the woman cut herself off several times during her conversation with Walter Williams?

She has to stop herself from saying racist remarks.

"The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain" was written in response to _____.

"The Negro Art Hokum"

The basic elements of literary terminology include: character, plot, setting, _____, and ______.

>conflict >resolution

In at least two hundred words, discuss the woman's statement in this excerpt from "Arrangement in Black and White." Consider the standards that she creates for blacks and whites, as well as the contradictions implicit in her language. What makes this excerpt ironic?

The woman's statement in the excerpt from "Arrangement in Black and White" by Dorothy Parker contains much contradiction and highlights her ignorance despite attempting to demonstrate dignity and class. Her ignorance is shown as she constantly holds Blacks to a higher degree than what they might be worth. In other words, she describes Blacks to be amazing creatures who experience no difficulties and only deserve praise. While, it might be true that those who worked hard desired the praise of others, the woman ignores the challenges that many African-Americans experienced during this time period with racism and inequalities. She develops her irony in character as she later contradicts herself by retracting directly stating that there are both bad colored and bad white people in the world. By stating so, she acknowledges that not all African-Americans are amazing, holy creatures which contradict her previously expressed beliefs. She also demonstrates her ignorance and racism as she states that she doesn't advocate for or defend Black people when someone narrow-minded talks bad about them. This illustrates that although she can defend and use her privilege for the better, she would rather ignore the discrimination around her, which in turn allows it to grow.

Certainly there is, for the American Negro artist who can escape the restrictions the more advanced among his own group would put upon him, a great field of unused material ready for his art. Without going outside his race, and even among the better classes with their "white" culture and conscious American manners, but still Negro enough to be different, there is sufficient matter to furnish a black artist with a lifetime of creative work. And when he chooses to touch on the relations between Negroes and whites in this country, with their innumerable overtones and undertones surely, and especially for literature and the drama, there is an inexhaustible supply of themes at hand. To these the Negro artist can give his racial individuality, his heritage of rhythm and warmth, and his incongruous humor that so often, as in the Blues, becomes ironic laughter mixed with tears. *What is the main idea in this excerpt from "The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain"?*

There is still a lot to be written about the African American experience.

According to "The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain," what does jazz do?

gives African American artists some freedom

In "Arrangement in Black and White" the reader is able to recognize something that the woman does not. What should a careful reader see?

her racism