Harlem Renaissance Soul Searchy Assingment

Jake Parsons

English IIIB

Mrs. Parkinson

7 March 2016

Jake Parsons

English IIIB

Mrs. Parkinson

7 March 2016

Nature

Countee Cullen’s poem, Tableau, gives the audience insight into the conflict between human nature, and the precedents set in place by society. I know this sounds a like a drastic leap, but hear me out. In this poem, two children of different races are walking together down the street. They are unaware of the racist society of the 1920’s and therefore are acting on instincts to befriend each other. However, those already shaped by society think differently. “And here the fair folk talk, Indignant that these two should dare in unison to walk.” (Cullen 6-8). We see this conflict between nature and nurture in the children, who unknowingly, challenged the beliefs of the adults. They “should blaze the path of thunder.”(Cullen 11-12). This teaches us that society isn't inherently right, and that sometimes we must challenge it to make history. Hence the name, Tableau. A captured moment of history.