By Condé’s own admission, the motive for writing the novel was to present “a reflection on the history of Africa and the reasons for the present day situation of decay and decline” (Condè 548). Based on the key events of the novel, religion is a conspicuous thematic element that is alluded to. The novel Segu demonstrates that, although religion forms an important part of a society’s identity, it is a divisive and destructive force in society that breeds intolerance, and is often used by influential forces to exert power or control over other groups, to obtain wealth and dominance. Secondary to the negative impact of religion, Condé demonstrates how racial and ethnic prejudices, hierarchical systems, and the slave trade have been destructive forces within societies. The novel, which is divided into five parts and further subdivided into chapters, spans the lives of the main protagonists.
The Scarlet Letter, written by Nathaniel Hawthorne and published in 1850, was just what America was needing in his time. He composed a both beautiful and tragic story while still creating a deep symbolic novel that few could forget. He captivated his readers with his allegorical novel, depending on symbolism and characters heavily, in the style of true dark romanticism. The novel deals with many issues that were prominent at the time, such as the importance of society versus nature, human temptation versus society’s influence, and many others. In Hawthorne’s novel The Scarlet Letter, he focuses on the conflicting views of society and nature in the Puritan society and uses contrast, symbolism, and imagery to convey his beliefs.
Sylvia Plath was a poet and author who deeply and thoughtfully engaged with the period in which she lived, which was rapidly evolving and developing. This is clear in her poems “Morning Song” and “The Applicant” as well as her novel, The Bell Jar. Plath passionately challenged many social expectations, such as the expectations placed upon females as well as pressures on men – the expectations of “the perfect life”. She also challenged consumerism. Because of the way that she engaged with and challenged the changing reality of her period, her contribution to the literary world is valued most highly.
Beowulf is a literary work which enables a reader to glimpse not only the societal customs but into the savage and seemingly uncontrollable environment of the first century. Literary historian, Raymond Chambers points out that in the fight between Grendel and Beowulf it appears as though Grendel is representative of the degraded form of human life attempting to gain power through violence, in his attempt to overthrow Hrothgar and take control of Heorot he is fatally wounded by Beowulf. Beowulf is a character who exemplifies the collective societal agreement as to the role of a hero and his duty to control a seemingly ungovernable environment (Chambers 46). The Beowulf poet describes Grendel and Beowulf as "Both ..enraged, fury filled, the two who meant to control the hall." (Beowulf 36).
Whether you discriminate against someone based on the way they dress, the size of their body, the type of vehicle they have, or the amount of money it their wallet. There is great regard to changing the behavior. Thoreau was passionate about anti-slavery and even composed anti- government essays in the 1840’s. Thoreau use his journals and writings to document important events in his life and they community he resided in. All stereotypes have roots in racism and have become so widely used to define different classes of people that we now find humor in them.
Is America still the bully? This poem is really interesting combining history and imagery at the same time. Irony is a central theme in the poem. Roosevelt statue seems to be assigned with a role of the bully since we know who the weaker party was during the Spanish American War. The imagery of war is associated with the sounds of the poem.
Zora Neale Hurston’s world view was that of a cynical tirade that would sweep the nation’s shortcomings for lack of diversity, and openness to growth. With such vivid and depict voices in her book Their Eyes Were Watching God Hurston tackles life’s most intriguing problems of isolation, society, culture, religion, and sex. Their Eyes Were Watching God is most often celebrated for Hurston’s unique use of language, particularly her mastery of rural Southern black dialect. Throughout the novel, she utilizes an interesting narrative structure, splitting the presentation of the story between high literary narration and idiomatic discourse. The long passages of discourse celebrate the culturally rich voices of Janie’s world; these characters
Connie Turner Period 2 Ms. Larkin Colonial Time Period White Americans had a strong resentment for African Americans during the colonial time period. Whites had made a strong assumption about the African Americans just by leaning towards the harsh comments that were constantly being said about them, and also the stereotypes that the Africans were involved in as well. African American writers such as Olaudah Equiano, Benjamin Banneker, and also the Slaves of Boston, used their strength in writing including imagery, diction and details, and historical/biblical allusions to challenge the prevailing notions, regarding race, freedom, and African American enslavement. Olaudah Equiano, wrote a slave narrative titled, “Interesting Life of Olaudah Equiano” using a
A thought provoking, masterpiece among literature, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, makes us all think more about the world around us and how we perceive and treat others. Central themes in the book are prejudices and discrimination, including racial, gender and social issues. In this essay I will explore the types of discrimination and prejudices that permeate the society of the town of Maycomb. Racism is the main prejudice that is displayed and talked about throughout the book. The trial of Tom Robinson is the central conflict that drives this story forward.
Orwell’s perspective as a reluctant and disgusted colonizer shapes his essay’s development, detail and main thesis. The essay’s first-person narrative, causal analysis and the detail it employs obviously produce a powerful condemnation of British colonialism. However, while Orwell briefly lists the obvious abuses of colonialism---the torture of prisoners, the appalling conditions in imperial jails, the destruction of the colonized’s spirit---he focuses his essay’s detail and development on colonialism’s effects on himself as colonizer, how this system causes his degradation and corruption as a human being. He presents his younger self as tormented by his role in this system, but also as someone who has absorbed its racist attitudes. He emphasizes his “intolerable sense of guilt” (313), but also his contradictory hatred of the Burmese, those “evil-spirited little beasts” (314), as well as his callous disregard for the native man killed by the elephant (319).