Reimherr, Beulah. "Race Consciousness in Countee Cullen's Poetry." Susquehanna University Studies. 7.2 (June 1963): 65-82. Rpt. in Poetry Criticism. Ed. Carol T. Gaffke. Vol. 20. Detroit: Gale Research, 1998. 65-82. Literature Resource Center. Gale. EAST LANSING PUBLIC LIBRARY. 6 June 2009 http://go.galegroup.com/ps/start.do?p=LitRC&u=east43610.
In this piece of literary criticism, Reimherr argues that race is a central theme in Countee Cullen's poetry. The author believes that nearly all of Cullen's works had racial overtones and that Cullen's best poetry was motivated by race. In addition to race, the author also discusses the themes of love and religion in his poems. However, Reimherr states that Cullen was so aware of the issues of race in the country at the time that it was impossible for him to erase his feelings of race-consciousness that were so evident in his poetry. The author states that the theme of race that appeared in Cullen's poetry included stories of sorrow, joy, and racial pride. Cullen used his poetry to discuss racial themes and issues from all perspectives of the Negro in America at that time. Reimherr believed that race played a major role in and had a major influence on Countee Cullen's poetry.
Gorman, Herbert S. "Countee Cullen Is a Poet First and a Negro Afterward." The New York Times Book Review. 5. Rpt. in Poetry Criticism. Ed. Carol T. Gaffke. Vol. 20. Detroit: Gale Research, 1998. p5. Literature Resource Center. Gale. EAST LANSING PUBLIC LIBRARY. 6 June 2009 http://go.galegroup.com/ps/start.do?p=LitRC&u=east43610.
This author explores another idea about the role race plays in Countee Cullen's poetry. Gorman believes that Cullen's poetry "transcends racial boundaries." The author takes a look at Cullen's second volume of poetry, Copper Sun. The author describes how Cullen is often referred to as a negro poet versus just simply being called a poet. Although Gorman states that race is a key theme in Cullen's work, he also believes that in Copper Sun, he overcomes the racial limitations and becomes a "sheer poet." Gorman believes that Cullen is different than Langston Hughes, who is always just simply the negro poet. He believes that Cullen is more than that because not only does he represent a specific people, he also represents all of humanity. In this way, Gorman argues, Cullen surpasses racial boundaries and this makes him and his work universal.
Locke, Alain. "Color-A Review." Opportunity. 4.37 (Jan. 1926): 14-15. Rpt. in Poetry Criticism. Ed. Carol T. Gaffke. Vol. 20. Detroit: Gale Research, 1998. 14-15. Literature Resource Center. Gale. EAST LANSING PUBLIC LIBRARY. 6 June 2009 http://go.galegroup.com/ps/start.do?p=LitRC&u=east43610.
This article takes a look at Cullen's first volume of poetry, Color. Locke describes Cullen as having "a rare talent whose verse is firmly rooted in poetic tradition and in the African American experience." Locke believes Cullen's writing in Color has a distinct and mature style. Locke states that Cullen writes about the intimate, emotional experience of race but makes it universal to all humans and all moods of life. Locke describes Cullen as a poetic genius and compares him to some of the greats like Tennyson. Unlike the greats, though, Locke believes Cullen's work provides a unique ingredient that is the Negro inheritance and experience.
Fauset, Jessie. [Review of Color], Crisis 31, No.5 (March 1926): 238-239.
Fauset explores the role of race in Cullen's work, particularly in Color. Although Fauset recognizes that not every work of Cullen's is based on color, he argues that the most beautifully done are the ones that discuss the issue of color or race. Fauset states that Cullen's work makes a unique and valuable contribution to American literature. Fauset believes that Cullen has the experience, feelings and natural gift and talent to express "colored-ness in a world of whiteness." The author praises Cullen for his work and believes his work shows the Negro soul and mind.
Braithwaite, William Stanley. "On These I Stand." Opportunity 25, No. 3 (July-September 1947): 170.
The author speaks very highly of Countee Cullen and his style. He believes Cullen is worthy of being compared to the great English poets. The author argues that Cullen's poetic technique cannot be matched. He discusses the several ways in which Cullen has used the fourteen lines in a sonnet to express many moods and themes. This author feels that Cullen's style and structure creates a "lyrical unity" in his work. The author concludes that although racial issues played a role in his works, he did not allow them to distort the ideals and visions of being an artist and a poet.
Early, Gerald. "Introduction," My Soul's High Song: Collection of Writings of Countee Cullen, Voice of the Harlem Renaissance. New York: Doubleday, 1991. pg 6-8, 59.
This author concludes that Countee Cullen has never been fully understood as a poet or writer because he has never been fully understood as a person. As I stated in the biography, many specifics about Cullen's life remain a mystery. The author discusses the details of his life that are still disputed like his height, his birthplace, his childhood and his young life. This author believes that Cullen was very taken with the art of lying and this shows through his works, such as The Lost Zoo, his translation of The Medea which is about the lying of two lovers, and his character Sam in One Way to Heaven. The author makes connections through the themes and characters in Cullen's work to his personal life which the author claimed was based on lying, deception and hypocrisy.
DISCUSSION OF CULLEN'S WORKS
Countee Cullen published The Black Christ and Other Poems in 1929. It was his longest and probably most complicated poem. Yet, he received poor reviews and harsh criticism for his work. Overall, the book completely failed to win the favor of any critics. The poem "The Black Christ" deals with the dramatic story of two brothers in the south who are told by their mother to keep their faith in God. However, one of the brothers kills a man and is then murdered by a lynch mob. Cullen aims to create an allegorical representation of Christ's crucifixion and resurrection and the romantic image of the tragic death of spring. However, most critics agreed that Cullen was unsuccessful at connecting these two central themes.
Most critics complained that the poem's style was inappropriate, while the content of the poem was vague, confusing, and unrealistic. The same reactions seem to be present when critics today discuss the poem. Similarly, most critics agree that this was his least successful poem. Cullen seemed to think that the idea for this poem was intense and invogorating but critics, both then and now, disagree with him. Critics say that Cullen failed at trying to describe the horror and truth about lynching. The one thing that most of the critics, then and now, do agree upon is that this poem left them dissatisfied and was Cullen's weakest work. One critic called the poem an "impressive failure." Most critics in the past looked at the Jesus imagery in the poem, but critics today are doing more to try to understand more of the poem. One critic stated that although the poem was weak, Cullen did "effectively mix metaphors to provoke questions of faith and to demonstrate that belief is something more than just pain and grief." Critics today still agree with the harsh criticism at the time of the publication of "The Black Christ" for the most part. However, they are making an attempt to look at the poem from a different angle to try to better understand and discover new aspects of what Cullen was trying to say in his poem.
Whitted, Qiana. "In my flesh shall I see God: ritual violence and racial redemption in 'The Black Christ'." African American Review. 38.3 (Fall 2004): p379. Literature Resource Center. Gale. EAST LANSING PUBLIC LIBRARY. 6 June 2009 http://go.galegroup.com/ps/start.do?p=LitRC&u=east43610.
Lumpkin, Shirley. "Countee Cullen." American Poets, 1880-1945: Second Series. Ed. Peter Quartermain. Dictionary of Literary Biography Vol. 48. Detroit: Gale Research, 1986. Literature Resource Center. Gale. EAST LANSING PUBLIC LIBRARY. 6 June 2009 http://go.galegroup.com/ps/start.do?p=LitRC&u=east43610.
Smylie, James H. "Countee Cullen's 'The BlackChrist,'." Theology Today. 38.2 (July 1981): 160-173. Rpt. in Poetry Criticism. Ed. Carol T. Gaffke. Vol. 20. Detroit: Gale Research, 1998. 160-173. Literature Resource Center. Gale. EAST LANSING PUBLIC LIBRARY. 6 June 2009
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