ENG 104H Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Countee Cullen, Marlon Brando, Maya Angelou
Document Summary
Raised by mother and preacher stepfather (part of how he developed) Had 9 half siblings, was treated poorly. Experienced a religious epiphany as a teenager. Became popular junior minister for a few years, drawing even larger crowds than his stepfather. Short lived, later on believed that christianity was built on falsehood. Thought it strengthened slavery, but also knew that it helped people defy slavery. Worked with countee cullen in high school. Started hanging out in greenwich village (center of bohemian life) where he became friends with richard wright. Moves to paris at 24, lived in europe most of his adult life. Vocal about wanting to escape prejudice in america. Traveled in famous circles: saul bellows, maya angelou, toni morrison, mlk jr. , marlon. Worked with civil rights movement after returning to us in 1957. Other works: go tell it on a mountain, notes of a native son, giovanni"s room.
