Nella Larsen's novel, Passing, provides an example of some of the best writing the Harlem Renaissance has to Nella Larsen was one of the most promising youngwriter's of her time. Though she only published two novelsit is clear that she was one of the most important writersof the Harlem Renaissance movement. Her career as writerprobably would have lasted longer, but she was accused ofplagiarizing her short story, "Sanctuary." She waseventually cleared of any wrong doing, but the accusationdeeply tarnished her reputation as writer. It is truly ashame that the first African-American woman to win theGuggenheim Fellowship was forced out of writing by scandal. Before being haunted by scandal, Nella Larsen playedan intricate role in the Harlem Renaissance. The HarlemRenaissance was a movement that started toward the end ofWorld War I and lasted through the mid 1930's. It was thefirst notable movement of African-American writers andartists in the United States. It was given the name"Harlem Renaissance" because the movement was centered inthe Harlem district in New York City. MoreAfrican-American writers and poets were published duringthis period in the United States than ever before. Notonly were African-American writers being published more,but they were also getting a great deal of recognition fortheir work. The body of work characteristic of this timeperiod showed a heightened sense of racial consciousness. African-American writers during this time were not onlyseeking to counteract racial prejudice, but were alsoperpetuating the cultural heritage of Africa. Some of themajor writers born from this period include LangstonHughes, Claude McKay, Jean Toomer, Countee Cullen, NealeHurston and of course, Nella Larsen. The writing of the Harlem Renaissance explored avariety of themes and genres. The writer's experimentedwith a wide variety of styles as well. Langston Hughes forinstance explored the lives of working-classAfrican-Am...
