In elaborating on your argument, your essay should discuss ONE outside source. This source could be current cultural/literary criticism, critical theory, relevant historical sources or popular cultural materials from the era (typed, ~1500 words). The easiest source would be an academic article related to the author or text from JSTOR or Project Muse.The importance of music to African Americans is often explored in African American literature. Using Helene Johnson’s “Bottled,” Rudoph Fisher’s “Common Meter” and Langston Hughes’s “Bop” as your core texts for evidence, discuss the following; 1) how is music described in EACH texts? what literary techniques/formal features are used in these descriptions?; 2) what do these descriptions communicate about black music and its roles in black lives? 3) how does the use of music contribute or assist to the larger message/meaning of the poem or short story? At the end of your essay discuss similarities and differences between these three texts and discuss: why is music important to African American experience and survival?