Identity and Expression in "Smoke, Lilies, and Jade"

Introduction

Richard Bruce Nugent's "Smoke, Lilies, and Jade" is a big deal in African American literature, especially when we talk about the Harlem Renaissance. Back in 1926, it got published in this magazine called Fire!!. What makes it stand out? It's not just the cool stream-of-consciousness style but also how it talks about bisexuality, art, race, and identity so openly. So, what’s going on here? This essay is gonna dig into all those deep themes and fresh storytelling tricks Nugent used. We’ll see how they help us get what's going on with the main guy’s journey toward knowing who he really is.

Identity and Expression in "Smoke, Lilies, and Jade"

At its heart, "Smoke, Lilies, and Jade" is all about shaking up the usual ideas of sexuality and what it means to be an artist. The main dude, Alex, is trying to figure himself out as a black artist with all these desires. With Nugent's stream-of-consciousness style, you kinda feel like you're right there in Alex's mind. You get to ride along as his thoughts float around like smoke—sometimes he's into men; sometimes it's women; other times he's chasing that next big artistic idea.

Let’s talk symbolism for a sec. The title itself says a lot. "Smoke" hints at how Alex's thoughts and wants are kinda fleeting and unclear. It also mirrors how society isn't always clear on what's okay and what's not. Then you've got "Lilies," which usually mean purity and beauty but here might show just how delicate Alex's feelings are. And "Jade"? That stands for something real and precious—like Alex’s search for true self-expression while dealing with outside pressures. Put together, these symbols tell us about Alex trying to find clarity in a world that likes to blur everything.

The story jumps from scene to scene—kinda choppy like life can be—showing just how mixed-up Alex feels inside as he deals with being bi and his artist dreams while society has its say on what’s right or wrong. Nugent was pretty bold back then by not putting labels on things; instead of boxing Alex in, he lets him explore his feelings without any fences.

Nugent sets this whole thing during the Harlem Renaissance—a time when Black culture was booming but still facing lots of prejudice too. As a black artist stuck between race issues and sexual stuff, Alex really has his hands full. How he deals with others—like Adrian (his lover) or Beauty (his muse)—shows us some bigger struggles the African American community faced trying to express themselves when most folks wanted them quiet.

The way art mixes into all this identity talk makes it even deeper. For Alex, creating stuff isn't just expressing himself—it’s about staying true amidst everything else pulling him apart. Through vivid scenes of his creativity sparking alive from personal experiences filled with passion... well... that's partly Nugent talking through him—a nod towards resisting society using one’s own voice!

Conclusion

Wrapping up: "Smoke, Lilies, and Jade" breaks new ground exploring who we are through art while tackling tricky subjects like sexuality head-on! Richard Bruce Nugent uses creative ways such as mixing symbolism and stream-of-consciousness so readers feel connected deeply experiencing triumphs alongside inner fights shared by those juggling multiple identities under pressure daily today too perhaps? Maybe that's why decades later people still find value inside pages urging them to reconsider norms, embracing human fluidity instead of staying boxed within lines drawn long ago...

References

• Hutchinson, G. (1995). The Harlem Renaissance in Black and White. Harvard University Press.
• Molesworth, C. (2000). African American Writers: Richard Bruce Nugent. Oxford Companion to African American Literature.
• Nugent, R.B., & Gates Jr., H.L. (1997). Gay Rebel of the Harlem Renaissance: Selections from the Work of Richard Bruce Nugent. Duke University Press Books.