Zora Neale Hurston (1891-1960)

Aim: In what ways do the two men, Jelly and Sweet Back, try to get a meal from the pretty girl passing by on a street in Harlem? How does their behavior  illustrate Harlemese definition of a pimp?

Motivational Activities:

• Who is Zora Hurston? What are some of the famous works she wrote? What contributions did she make to Harlem Renaissance?
• Who are some of the famous Harlem Renaissance giants-writers, artists or musicians?
• About Harlem Slang

Do Now: Make a list of New York slang that you know and provide explanations for each expression.

Procedure:

1. Read aloud the story in class. Whenever you recognize a slang, underline it while reading. We'll share the list.
2. Use the questions to help you understand the story-
   • Why did Marvel change his name to Jelly?
   • Who is Sweet Back?
   • Why do they bet on each other's pocket even though they knew very well none of them had any money?
   • What makes their language so humorous?
   • What some of the slang they used you can relate or are still being used today?
   • What might be the psychological reason for these women to be used by men like Jelly and  Sweet Back?
   • How does the girl in the story see though Jelly's plan of using her? How does she retaliate their plan?
   • How is the slang effectively used in the story? Give two examples.

Homework #12

Write a creative response to the story by selecting one of the assignments-

1. Pretend to be the girl in the story and make comments about men like Jelly and Sweet Back.
2. Pretend to be Jelly/Sweet Back and write a monologue providing narration about your choice of living in such a way and how you feel about being a "pimp".
3. Write a story/poem/song/rap commenting on pimps like Jelly or Sweet Back.

Reminder:

HW#10 Write an interpretation of Claude McKay's poems, "Harlem Dancer" and Tropics in New York".

HW#11-Compose a poem using poetic devices presented in Claude McKay's poems "Harlem Dancer" and "Tropics in New York" especially a twist ending)