pt. 1. Masks of slavery: 1885-1920: Literary forebears -- Oral tradition -- Paul Dunbar -- Charles Chesnutt -- pt. 2. Masks of Arcady: 1920-1935: Harlem Renaissance: a reappraisal -- Three versions of pastoral -- Eric Walrond -- Jean Toomer -- Langston Hughes -- Epilogue: Arna Bontemps.