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Harlem Rhapsody by Victoria Christopher Murray Discussion
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1
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28
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April 21, 2026
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Overall, what did you think of Harlem Rhapsody? (no spoilers, please!)
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32
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161
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April 21, 2026
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W.E.B. Du Bois was one of the most important civil rights activists in US history. Were you aware that he founded The Crisis? Did you know about his affair with Jessie? Does knowing about his relationship with Jessie change your opinion of him?
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23
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209
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April 21, 2026
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There are a number of conversations in the novel about whether books or plays portraying Black characters in a positive light are of value if they are not written by Black authors. What do you think?
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19
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86
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April 21, 2026
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What surprised you about Harlem Rhapsody? What did you learn that was new to you?
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18
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100
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April 21, 2026
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Several times W.E.B. Du Bois expresses the opinion that if art’s not propaganda, “it has no purpose.” What did you think of this? Is all art propaganda of some sort?
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16
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105
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April 21, 2026
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Jessie Redmon Fauset was instrumental in the success of so many legendary authors and yet she herself is not famous for this extraordinary accomplishment or her groundbreaking novel, There Is Confusion. Why do you think she was forgotten in history?
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11
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74
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April 21, 2026
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How did W. E. B. Du Bois help and hinder Jessie's career?
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11
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74
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April 21, 2026
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W.E.B. DuBois and family
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10
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81
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April 21, 2026
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To what audience would you recommend Harlem Rhapsody? Is there another book or author you feel addresses related themes or who writes in a similar style?
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9
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50
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April 21, 2026
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Why do you think Jessie was so attracted to W. E. B. Du Bois? Why do you think she continued the relationship, even though she knew there was no future in it? Do you think she made the correct decision at the end of the book?
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9
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51
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April 21, 2026
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Fauset asks her sister, “Has there ever been a force in your life that brought you an equal measure of joy and sorrow?” How do you think her relationship with Du Bois exemplifies this? How would you answer her question?
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8
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65
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April 21, 2026
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Jessie faced a lot of racism and sexism in her life. How did she combat both throughout the novel? Do you think her attitude to racism and sexism changed over the course of the book?
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6
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49
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April 21, 2026
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The author mentions the lifelong disagreement between W.E.B. Du Bois and Booker T. Washington regarding the best path to Black equality. Were you aware of the conflict, and do you have an opinion about it? Do you think it's shifted over the decades?
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6
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37
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April 21, 2026
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Were you surprised to learn about Charlotte Osgood Mason? What do you think of the role that white women like Charlotte played in the success of authors like Langston Hughes? Do you think they accomplished more good than harm or more harm than good?
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6
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56
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April 21, 2026
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Isabella tells Fauset that “The only regret I’ve had is not guiding you to a respectable life,” to which Fauset replies, “My life is respectable.” What do you think? What makes a life “respectable”?
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6
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40
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April 21, 2026
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Why do you think Jessie was so successful as the literary editor of The Crisis? What personality traits and skill set made her able to discover and nurture talented authors?
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5
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26
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April 21, 2026
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During the Harlem Renaissance, Black music, literature, theater, fashion, and art all flourished. How did the novel incorporate each of these creative disciplines to evoke this time period and cultural movement?
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4
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30
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April 21, 2026
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What role did Jessie play in the Harlem Renaissance?
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4
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21
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April 21, 2026
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Was there a scene or a quote in Harlem Rhapsody that you highlighted? Why do you suppose it resonated with you?
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4
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34
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April 21, 2026
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Jessie and her stepmother, Isabella Huff Fauset, have a very close relationship. Why do you think that is? How do you think Isabella influenced Jessie's life? How is Isabella an extraordinary woman for her time?
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3
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33
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April 21, 2026
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What factors in the United States contributed to the Harlem Renaissance in the 1920s?
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1
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19
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April 21, 2026
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