The+Barrier


 * "The Barrier" Claude McKay **

**INTRO** During the [|Harlem Renaissance], many African-American writers emerged. One of the most common topics in their works is race and color. In this poem, "The Barrier" by Claude McKay, the topic is on race. It is an impossible love. Apparently, the one he loved was white and he was black. During the Harlem Renaissance, falling in love with someone of a different race was despicable.

Excerpt from the poem [|“The Barrier] By [|Claude McKay] media type="file" key="the_barrier.m4a"  I must not see upon your face Love's softly glowing spark; For there's the barrier of race, You're fair and I am dark. women.

**ANALYSIS** This poem is about an impossible love between two people. One would think by reading this poem that McKay would be writing about a woman, but that may not be the case. Claude McKay was one of the few gay writers during the Harlem Renaissance and he was known for having relationships with men and women. So the poem could be about his relationship with a man or a woman. He had a fiery passion for this person, and tries to state that race should not be a concern with relationships.

 __**Bibliography **__ "Claude McKay (1889 - 1948) Biography of Claude McKay". PoemHunter.com. 14 May, 2009  McKay, Claude. "The Barrier". PoemHunter.com. 14 May, 2009  Wikipedia Contributors. "Claude McKay". Wikipedia. 14 May, 2009  Wikipedia Contributors. "Harlem Renaissance". Wikipedia. 15 May, 2009 

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