summary in essay form of eras 1-4 from the book. each era must be 2 pages long. only two quotes per era from the book. explain three or four major points of the era interest you. The Norton Anthology Of African American Literature- Third Edition (Volumes 1 and 2) By Henry louis Grates,JR., and Valerie A. Smith

SOLUTIONS 

Era 1, which is also known as the colonial era, covers the period from the first arrival of African slaves in the English colonies in 1619 to the end of the American Revolution in 1783. The era was marked by the establishment of slavery, which created a distinct African American culture and language. Some of the major works of this era include the narratives of Olaudah Equiano and Phillis Wheatley, who were slaves that wrote about their experiences in captivity.

Era 2, which is known as the early national period, spans from the end of the American Revolution in 1783 to the start of the Civil War in 1861. This era was marked by the emergence of a new generation of African American writers who were born in the United States and who were free or who had purchased their freedom. These writers, including David Walker and Frederick Douglass, challenged the ideology of slavery and advocated for the abolition of the institution.

Era 3, which is known as the Reconstruction era, covers the period from the end of the Civil War in 1865 to the dawn of the twentieth century. The era was marked by significant political and social changes, including the abolition of slavery, the extension of citizenship and voting rights to African Americans, and the emergence of Jim Crow laws that enforced racial segregation. Some of the major works of this era include the poetry of Paul Laurence Dunbar and the essays of W.E.B. Du Bois.

Era 4, which is known as the Harlem Renaissance, spans from the end of World War I in 1918 to the beginning of the Great Depression in 1929. This era was marked by a cultural flowering in African American literature, music, and art, centered in the neighborhood of Harlem in New York City. Major figures of this era include Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, and Countee Cullen, who explored themes of black identity, cultural heritage, and political activism.

In each era, African American writers and thinkers engaged with the social, political, and cultural issues of their time, creating a rich and varied literary tradition that continues to inspire and challenge readers today.