The Harlem Renaissance and Claude McKay

In this lesson, we will continue our exploration of 'If We Must Die'. We are going to travel to 1920s and 1930s America to learn about the Harlem Renaissance. We will also find out about some of the regrettable context which inspired the poet Claude McKay.

This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Quiz:

Intro quiz - Recap from previous lesson

Before we start this lesson, let’s see what you can remember from this topic. Here’s a quick quiz!

Q1.Who wrote the poem 'If We Must Die'?

Ms TurnerWilliam ShakespeareOak AcademyClaude McKay

1/8

Q2.How do we first approach a poem?

We analyse the poemWe try to understand every single wordWe listen to the poemWe write about the poem

2/8

Q3.When we first look at the sounds and language of a poem, what is it good to think about?

What it makes us think and feelWhether it rhymesWhether it is a good poemWhat it makes people say

3/8

Q4.What does it mean to do something nobly?

You do something powerfullyYou do something dangerouslyYou do something in a posh wayYou do something with honour

4/8

Q5.Which of the two groups in the poem are described as behaving nobly?

The 'we' groupThe 'they' group

5/8

Q6.Which of these words is used to describe the 'we' group in the poem?

KinsmenMonstersDogsFighters

6/8

Q7.Which of these words is used to describe the 'they' group in the poem?

HogsMonstersTryantsMen

7/8

Q8.What have we learnt 'If We Must Die' is about so far?

It is about fighting between hogs and dogsIt is about people dyingIt is about being murderous cowardsIt is about standing up against violence

8/8

This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Quiz:

Intro quiz - Recap from previous lesson

Before we start this lesson, let’s see what you can remember from this topic. Here’s a quick quiz!

Q1.Who wrote the poem 'If We Must Die'?

Ms TurnerWilliam ShakespeareOak AcademyClaude McKay

1/8

Q2.How do we first approach a poem?

We analyse the poemWe try to understand every single wordWe listen to the poemWe write about the poem

2/8

Q3.When we first look at the sounds and language of a poem, what is it good to think about?

What it makes us think and feelWhether it rhymesWhether it is a good poemWhat it makes people say

3/8

Q4.What does it mean to do something nobly?

You do something powerfullyYou do something dangerouslyYou do something in a posh wayYou do something with honour

4/8

Q5.Which of the two groups in the poem are described as behaving nobly?

The 'we' groupThe 'they' group

5/8

Q6.Which of these words is used to describe the 'we' group in the poem?

KinsmenMonstersDogsFighters

6/8

Q7.Which of these words is used to describe the 'they' group in the poem?

HogsMonstersTryantsMen

7/8

Q8.What have we learnt 'If We Must Die' is about so far?

It is about fighting between hogs and dogsIt is about people dyingIt is about being murderous cowardsIt is about standing up against violence

8/8

Video

Play video

Click on the play button to start the video. If your teacher asks you to pause the video and look at the worksheet you should:

Click "Close Video"
Click "Next" to view the activity

Your video will re-appear on the next page, and will stay paused in the right place.

This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Quiz:

The Harlem Renaissance and Claude McKay - Quiz

Use these questions to text your knowledge of Lesson 2: The Harlem Renaissance and Claude McKay. Good luck!

Q1.When and where was the Harlem Renaissance?

Europe, 1900sUK, 2020sAmerica, 1920s and 1930sItaly, 15th and 16th Century

1/8

Q2.What was the Harlem Renaissance?

Claude McKay's time of birthA cultural and intellectual movement led by African-American artistsA time of oppression and fearA rebirth of classical culture

2/8

Q3.What does oppression mean?

The treatment of a group of people in a cruel and unfair wayThe person or people who are doing the cruel and unfair thingsThe person or people who are suffering from being treated cruelly or unfairlyTreating people in a dignified and noble way

3/8

Q4.Who was Claude McKay?

A musician and writerA poet, writer and activistA politicianA protestor

4/8

Q5.What is racial oppression?

The treatment of a group of people fairly because of the colour of their skinThe treatment of a group of people unfairly because of the colour of their skinThe treatment of a group of people cruelly because of their religionThe treatment of a group of people unfairly because of their gender

5/8

Q6.What was the Red Summer?

A very hot summer in the 1920sA time of mass violence, racist riots and murders in America, 1919The Harlem RenaissanceAfrican-American servicemen returning from war

6/8

Q7.What did Claude McKay say about how his crew reacted to the poem?

They were agitatedThey were excitedThey were nervousThey were aggressive

7/8

Q8.What did Frank Harris say about the poem 'If We Must Die'?

It was a 'superb poem'It was 'agitating'It was 'authentic fire and blood'It was about 'oppression'

8/8

This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Quiz:

The Harlem Renaissance and Claude McKay - Quiz

Use these questions to text your knowledge of Lesson 2: The Harlem Renaissance and Claude McKay. Good luck!

Q1.When and where was the Harlem Renaissance?

Europe, 1900sUK, 2020sAmerica, 1920s and 1930sItaly, 15th and 16th Century

1/8

Q2.What was the Harlem Renaissance?

Claude McKay's time of birthA cultural and intellectual movement led by African-American artistsA time of oppression and fearA rebirth of classical culture

2/8

Q3.What does oppression mean?

3/8

Q4.Who was Claude McKay?

A musician and writerA poet, writer and activistA politicianA protestor

4/8

Q5.What is racial oppression?

5/8

Q6.What was the Red Summer?

A very hot summer in the 1920sA time of mass violence, racist riots and murders in America, 1919The Harlem RenaissanceAfrican-American servicemen returning from war

6/8

Q7.What did Claude McKay say about how his crew reacted to the poem?

They were agitatedThey were excitedThey were nervousThey were aggressive

7/8

Q8.What did Frank Harris say about the poem 'If We Must Die'?

It was a 'superb poem'It was 'agitating'It was 'authentic fire and blood'It was about 'oppression'

8/8

Lesson summary: The Harlem Renaissance and Claude McKay

It looks like you have not completed one of the quizzes.

To share your results with your teacher please complete one of the quizzes.

Time to move!

Did you know that exercise helps your concentration and ability to learn?

For 5 mins...

Move around:
Walk

On the spot:
Chair yoga

The next lesson in:
The sonnet through time: 'If we must die', Claude McKay
is:
Language in 'If We Must Die'

Browse Oak's lessons:

Subjects Schedule

The Harlem Renaissance and Claude McKay

Intro quiz - Recap from previous lesson

Intro quiz - Recap from previous lesson

Video

The Harlem Renaissance and Claude McKay - Quiz

The Harlem Renaissance and Claude McKay - Quiz

Lesson summary: The Harlem Renaissance and Claude McKay

It looks like you have not completed one of the quizzes.

Time to move!

The next lesson in: The sonnet through time: 'If we must die', Claude McKay is: Language in 'If We Must Die'

Browse Oak's lessons:

The next lesson in:
The sonnet through time: 'If we must die', Claude McKay
is:
Language in 'If We Must Die'