Home to Harlem | Study Guide

Claude McKay

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Study Guide
Contents
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MLA

Bibliography

Course Hero. "Home to Harlem Study Guide." Course Hero. 7 June 2019. Web. 26 June 2022. <https://www.coursehero.com/lit/Home-to-Harlem/>.

In text

(Course Hero)

APA

Bibliography

Course Hero. (2019, June 7). Home to Harlem Study Guide. In Course Hero. Retrieved June 26, 2022, from https://www.coursehero.com/lit/Home-to-Harlem/

In text

(Course Hero, 2019)

Chicago

Bibliography

Course Hero. "Home to Harlem Study Guide." June 7, 2019. Accessed June 26, 2022. https://www.coursehero.com/lit/Home-to-Harlem/.

Footnote

Course Hero, "Home to Harlem Study Guide," June 7, 2019, accessed June 26, 2022, https://www.coursehero.com/lit/Home-to-Harlem/.

Overview

Author

Claude McKay

Year Published

1928

Type

Novel

Genre

Fiction

Perspective and Narrator

Home to Harlem is written in the third person from the perspective of an omniscient narrator, with the exception of Part 2, Chapter 17, which the character Ray narrates in the first person.

Tense

Home to Harlem is told entirely in the past tense.

About the Title

The title Home to Harlem refers to the return to Harlem of the main character, Jake Brown. Harlem is a district of New York City located in the northern part of Manhattan. Jake is stationed in France during World War I (1914–18) with the U.S. Army but deserts his position, first working in London and then returning to the place he feels most at home and welcome, Harlem, after escaping a race riot in London.

Diagrams

Friends Friends Friends Friends Loves Short-term lovers True lovers Jake Brown Young black man; returns to Harlem for love and a better life Billy Biasse Bar owner; runs a gambling joint; nicknamed "The Wolf" Madame Laura Well-appointed, middle-aged brothel owner; protected by Philly police Gin-head Susy Large black woman; keeps losing boyfriends; has gin parties for men Ray Young, black dining-car waiter; college-educated; wants to write Felice Beautiful, brown woman; ex-prostitute; ready to leave Harlem Zeddy Husky black man; unlucky in love; compulsive drinker and gambler Rose Beautiful dancer; performs at the Congo; wants a steady lover
Character Map
timeline
Timeline
plot-diagram
Plot Diagram

Summary

This study guide for Claude McKay's Home to Harlem offers summary and analysis on themes, symbols, and other literary devices found in the text. Explore Course Hero's library of literature materials, including documents and Q&A pairs.

Characters

Jake Brown Felice Ray Zeddy

Symbols

Harlem The Dining Car Jazz and Blues

Themes

Racism and Racist Stereotypes Richness of Black Culture Love and Money
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Context
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