Jessica and Foster discover 20th century Literature

First up… LANGSTON HUGHES

Langston Hughes was a playwright, author, poet and newspaper

columnist who lived from 1902 to 1967. He is most well known for his
work during the Harlem Renaissance.
The Harlem Renaissance, as we know was a time when
African-Americans showcased their talents.

Langston Hughes ‘ work dealt mainly with African-Americans during the

time of the Harlem Renaissance. Hughes explored the depths of being
black, at a time when being black was “unfashionable”. His work dealt
with the how the middle-class lived.

Second is… JOHN STEINBECK

John Steinbeck lived from 1902 to 1968 and is one of the most
well known of all 20th century American writers. He is most well known
for Of Mice and Men and The Grapes of Wrath both which dealt with
the working class and migrant workers during the earlier 20th century.

Third… DR. BENJAMIN SPOCK

Dr. Spock was a pediatrician, who lived from 1903 to 1998 and
wrote Baby and Child Care, which is one of the greatest bestsellers of
all time. His book revolutionized the way mothers brought up their
children.

Fourth… RICHARD WRIGHT

Richard Wright lived from 1908 to 1960 and wrote the novels
Black Boy and Native Son, one dealing with his life, growing up in the
south in the early 20th century (Black Boy) and the other, a fiction,
about a black man in a white man’s world (Native Son). He dealt
primarily with the treatment of blacks in the south, and even in the
north during the early 1900s.

Fifth… JOHN HERSEY

John Hersey, the author of the book Hiroshima lived from 1914 to
1993. His most well known novel, Hiroshima discussed the lives of the
Japanese before, during and after the bombing of Hiroshima in World
War II. Hersey’s writings have each had different messages to convey.
Hiroshima was to convey the effects of the dropping of the atomic
bomb, his The Algiers Motel Incident dealt with racist killings and an
article of his discussing the dull grammar school readers inspired Dr.
Seuss’ The Cat in the Hat.

Lastly… LORRAINE HANSBERRY

Lorraine Hansberry, who wrote A Raisin in the Sun, lived from

1930 to 1965. A Raisin in the Sun dealt with a black family living in
Chicago’s Woodlawn neighborhood in the early 20th century. In the
play, the main character might fight to keep his family living in a white
neighborhood, even though he is black and racial segregation was high
in those days.