A Bohemian comes to Harlem : the literary career and critical theories of Wallace Thurman.

Both published and unpublished materials from the writers of the Harlem Renaissance (1923-33) indicate that the focal point, the central meeting place of Black Bohemia, was the residence of Wallace Thurman. Thurman, a black writer, became a central figure of the renaissance movement largely because of his life and his works which reveal his sense of isolation, alienation, and disillusionment. This project is an attempt to provide an introductory historical/analytical study of the career and works of Wallace Thurman. This study is organized into four chapters treating both his life and career. Chapter One is largely biographical with emphasis placed upon those factors in Thurman's life which led him to migrate to New York in order to pursue an artistic career. While Harlem was obviously the locale in which Thurman believed that his literary career could best be nurtured and developed, it was there also that he seemed to feel an outsider in spite of his reputation as a leader among the young bohemians. Chapter Two contains an analysis of Thurman's literary works as well as his efforts to urge black artists to realize the necessity for the application of sound critical principles to creativity. Thurman's criticism, which is regarded more as a set of ideals than explicit principles of art, was aimed at the black artist who had been lulled into accepting mediocrity by the reading public's faddish interest in black literature. Chapter Three concentrates upon the prevalent themes which appeared in Thurman's fiction and drama. Thurman was among those authors who abandoned the "tragic mulatto," a near-white hero or heroine, as a major motif of literature by black writers, and he moved toward a more realistic depiction of black life. That is, Thurman made concerted efforts to break away from the themes of color and class distinction among blacks and believed that only the realities of black life were suitable for art. Chapter Four contains an assessment of Thurman's place in black American letters. For a writer whose active career spanned fewer than ten years, Thurman's combined literary output, including both published and unpublished works, was prodigious. Therefore, Thurman is a central figure in the Harlem Renaissance who occupied a central position among that city's literary artists. As a whole, this thesis demonstrates Thurman's contributions to American literature, and his dedication to art and its excellence.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.A.

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Grantor

Baylor University.

Year dc:date.issued

1989

Author dc:creator

• Gordon, Edwin Prescott.

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• LeMaster, J. R., 1934-

• Thurman, Wallace, 1902-1934.
• African American authors.

Statement dc:rights

• Baylor University works are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. Contact libraryquestions@baylor.edu for inquiries about permission.

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/2104/14459

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:baylor-ir.tdl.org:2104/14459