Countee Cullen's 'Heritage': A Poetic Quest for Identity

Introduction: Contextualizing Countee Cullen's "Heritage"

Countee Cullen's poignant poem "Heritage," penned during the Harlem Renaissance, stands as a profound testament to the internal strife experienced by African Americans torn between their rich African roots and the prevailing American culture. This era, a renaissance for African American culture, art, and expression, provided a backdrop for writers like Cullen to explore and assert their racial identity. Cullen, raised predominantly in a white environment, grappled with a lack of direct exposure to African culture.

This upbringing planted the seeds of confusion and conflict that would later blossom in his literary works, particularly "Heritage."

The Harlem Renaissance was not just an artistic movement; it was a beacon for racial pride and cultural self-expression. In this period, African American artists and writers sought to redefine and reclaim their heritage, often juxtaposed against the prevailing Eurocentric norms. "Heritage" is a quintessential product of this era, embodying the complex emotions of an African American poet navigating through the cultural dichotomies of the early 20th century.

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Cullen’s work reflects not just a personal journey but echoes a communal experience of African Americans striving to connect with their ancestral roots amidst a dominant culture that often marginalized them.

Imagery: A Duality of Perception

In "Heritage," Cullen masterfully employs imagery to paint a vivid picture of Africa from an African American perspective, laden with both admiration and ambiguity. This dichotomy is evident in lines such as "copper sun or scarlet sea, jungle star or jungle track," where each image carries dual connotations.

The poem oscillates between glorifying and questioning the African legacy, mirroring Cullen's own internal conflict. These contrasting images are more than mere descriptions; they are a reflection of the poet's torn identity, suspended between the allure of a romanticized motherland and the stark reality of a distant, almost mythical Africa.

This imagery serves as a critical lens through which the African American view of Africa is both celebrated and critiqued. The poem encapsulates the struggle of African Americans to reconcile the mythical Africa – "where the birds of Eden sang" – with the stereotypical images propagated in American culture. This struggle is emblematic of a larger narrative where African Americans were often forced to view their heritage through the distorting lens of American stereotypes and misconceptions. Cullen's imagery thus becomes a powerful tool in conveying the complexity of this cultural and racial dilemma.

Symbolism: The Inescapable Drumbeat

The motif of the drum in "Heritage" is a profound symbol that Countee Cullen utilizes to represent the inextricable link to his African roots. Despite his upbringing in a predominantly white culture, the rhythmic beat of the drum symbolizes the persistent call of his African heritage. This is exemplified in the lines, "though I cram against my ear, both my thumbs, and keep them there, great drums throbbing through the air." The drumbeat is incessant and unavoidable, echoing the deep, often subconscious connection to his ancestral land. This symbolism reflects the broader African American experience of a continuous, often unacknowledged, bond with Africa, regardless of the physical and cultural distance.

This persistent drumbeat transcends mere musical rhythm; it becomes a metaphor for the heartbeat of a continent and a people. Cullen's struggle to deny this beat, as illustrated in the poem, mirrors the broader African American struggle to assimilate into a culture that often demanded the denial of their African heritage. The drum, with its primal and unyielding rhythm, thus becomes a symbol of cultural resilience and an unspoken acknowledgment of a heritage that refuses to be silenced or forgotten, despite the overwhelming pressures of assimilation and cultural erasure.

Irony: The Conflict of Identity and Belief

Irony is another powerful literary device that Cullen employs in "Heritage" to underscore the complexity of his identity crisis. He articulates a profound contradiction between his outward acceptance of Christian faith and his internal yearning for a connection to his African roots. This is vividly portrayed in the lines, "I belong to Jesus Christ... but in my heart, do I play a double part." This irony exposes the deep-seated conflict between his adopted religious beliefs and his intrinsic desire for a deity that reflects his own racial identity. It's a poignant commentary on the African American experience of adopting Western religion while struggling to maintain a connection to African spirituality and identity.

The irony in Cullen's poem extends beyond personal religious conflict to a broader commentary on the civilizational clash. His line "they and I are civilized" juxtaposed against his internal turmoil, reflects the irony of being considered 'civilized' in a Western sense while simultaneously grappling with a sense of alienation and disconnection from his own cultural heritage. This irony serves as a powerful critique of the societal pressures that compel African Americans to conform to Western norms and values, often at the expense of their own cultural identity.

The Enduring Struggle for Identity

Countee Cullen's "Heritage" is more than a poem; it's a microcosm of the African American struggle for identity in a world where their heritage is often marginalized or misconstrued. The poem's exploration of imagery, symbolism, and irony reveals the depth of Cullen's internal conflict, a reflection of a collective experience among African Americans. This conflict is rooted in a historical and cultural context where African Americans were frequently compelled to view their ancestry through the distorting prism of American perceptions.

The enduring message of "Heritage" transcends its historical context, echoing into the present. It reminds us that identity is a complex tapestry woven from the threads of history, culture, and personal experience. For Cullen, and many like him, the journey to reconcile these elements was fraught with challenges. Yet, "Heritage" stands as a testament to the resilience of cultural identity and the enduring quest to embrace one's roots, despite the myriad forces that seek to dilute or deny them.

In conclusion, "Heritage" by Countee Cullen is not just a narrative of personal struggle; it's a narrative that resonates with the collective experience of African Americans seeking to define their identity in a world that often negates their heritage. Cullen's poem remains a poignant reminder of the power of self-acceptance and the importance of recognizing and honoring our roots, no matter where life takes us.