Eng 302 - Poetry and Fiction

POETRY AND FICTION                                                                        1

                                POETRY AND FICTION

                                JUDY HEADLEE

                                DECEMBER 7, 2015

                                ENG/302

                                LINDSEY SURRATT

POETRY AND FICTION                                                                        2

From the time man has learned to write by using pen and paper, it has been a stage to write about the concerns of the era, be it poetry or fiction. Many American writers were not any different to that of their ancestors. The drama and literature they wrote became their tool for national expression during the time before World War I (1918) and World War II (1942). This was a time and period that was known for primitivism, naturalism, and modernism. Drama in Europe that was both critical and experimental was beginning to find its way into the United States. There were many art theater companies that began touring in the United States. Due to the increase in interest a good many poets poems were becoming plays. The message that was being displayed in almost all of the plays reflected the discontent of the American people. About the same time African American and American Indian folk art, folk culture, architecture, and literature was becoming better known. This was a trend that was also influencing the era. Be it poetry or fiction these forms of print were expressions that started carrying a message of national concern.

In the 1800’s slavery existed in many parts of the world. Slave trade was a very popular business back in this time. Slave trade was the reason that jazz dance originated. In many cultures like the African culture dance was used in celebration. People would dance to celebrate a birth, puberty, marriage, and even death. Slaves took this tradition and used it to interpret life. Jazz dance was mainly coordinated by drum beats. Slaves were taken too many regions such as America and this is how jazz began in the United States.

Minstrel shows made the way to ballroom dances. They used songs that were written by African American composers. These songs were used to teach people the techniques of dancing in dances like the Turtle Trot, Monkey Glide, and the Bunny Hug. These moves soon became popular and were performed in Broadway musicals. While dance steps changed so did the genre of jazz. The jazz music picked up a faster beat that dancers performed to.

African American music was popular in the musical industry with its sounds of jazz, blues, and gospel. The music they created was used to tell stories. This music was used in literature and theater. Jazz, this came to be from a style of dance, originated before African Americans ever arrived in America. In the late 19th century the jazz dances of social and concert settings evolved. By the 20th century there were new trendy dances such as Swing, Jitterbug, and the Charleston. Tap dancing to jazz became a big hit during this time. Some of these dances are