Reaper

Toomer’s “Reaper” reflected the Modernists concepts of that time. Modernist literature was popular from roughly the 1910’s to the 1960’s. It was based on the industrialization and globalization in that time. Usually, modernist writing took a negative outlook on these changes. It caused people of that time to question what humanity was coming to – it saw a decline in civilization. Today, we see technology as beneficial; the next form of technology is received with excitement. At that time, however, Modernists only saw technology as cold machinery. They believed that it “alienated the individual and led to loneliness”. Much of this negative writing was done speaking of the inner self and continuing the use of stream of consciousness. It also used irony, satire, and many comparisons. Many say “this can all add up to feel like the story is going no where” (“What are the characteristics…”) This negative aspect of the new technology of the time period is clearly seen in this story.

“Black reapers with the sound of steel on stones

Are sharpening scythes. I see them place the hones

In their hip-pockets as a thing that's done,

And start their silent swinging, one by one.

Black horses drive a mower through the weeds,

And there, a field rat, startled, squealing bleeds,

His belly close to ground. I see the blade,

Blood-stained, continue cutting weeds and shade.” (The American Tradition in Literature 1132)

The Modernist writing is seen even the title of Toomer’s work. This is because it contrasts black reapers, the humans harvesting by hand, and machinery, compared to a Grim Reaper. A reaper can mean a machine used for harvest, a person who reaps, or Grip Reaper. “Grim Reaper” is recognized to the cloaked figure of death. The Modernist theme of death by industrialization begins in the title and continues throughout the poem.

Just as the title contrasts labor from machinery, so the rest of the poem does also. For example, the sharpening scythes aid in harvest, but can hang from the reapers’ sides without damaging them. However, the machinery murders animals, leaving them bleeding and lifeless, without noticing. The machinery simply continues.

The can also be connected to the feeling of loneliness. There are no people working together; only the black horses driving the mower. In fact, instead of the people sharing life together, the mower reduced life. The mower is connected to the feeling of loneliness.

Toomer reflects the Modernist viewpoint by making comparisons/contrasts, a negative view of industrialization, and loneliness. Even his title portrays his main point of the types of reapers: the men who reap and the deathly Grim Reapers.

Works Cited:

"What are characteristics of Modernist literature, fiction in particular?"

     CliffNotes. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Mar. 2014.

     <http://www.cliffsnotes.com/cliffsnotes/history/

     what-are-characteristics-of-modernist-literature-fiction-in-particular>.