Afro-American Literature from 1940`s - Term Paper Example

s s School Topic Afro-American Literature from 1940`s “Negro Characters as seen by the WhiteAuthors” is a classic article written by Sterling A. Brown where he identifies seven stereotypes portrayed by American authors targeting the Negro population in America. If this article is contrasted with Brown`s poem, “Old Lem” a clear distinction can be drawn as the stereotypical characters are missing from the text and the focus is primarily on the injustice and ill-treatment which the Negro population had to go through at the hands of the white population. To comment on the stereotypical discussion carried in both pieces it is crucial to briefly discuss the central idea put forth in both works. In the article, “Negro Character as seen by the White Authors” Brown talks about the contented slave, the wretched freeman, the comic Negro, the tragic mullato, the local color Negro, the exotic primitive and the brute Negro. These are all stereotypical images of Negros portrayed in the writings of so-called white anthropologists and sociologists who claim to have acquired the expertise on the colored race. As a central idea, these stereotypes indicate that Negroes are generally inferior to whites in terms of morality and IQ, which justifies their position as slaves in the society. Moreover, due to their color they add flavor to the society and are also sources of humor due to their physical traits. Also, the white literature justifies slavery by arguing that the Negros are happy being slaves as they know that this is the most easy task they can carry, amongst many other stereotypes. The poem, “Old Lem” talks about the inferiority of the colored race in contrast to the white race, where Brown writes about the injustice against the Negros prevailing in America. This poem specifically focuses on the difference between social and political power between the Negros and the whites, highlighting how the judicial system is biased towards the white population. Brown talks about how the gestures of the Negros are indicative of the suppression they face; also they are victims of mob crimes at the hands of the whites. Thus, in this poem Brown hasn’t targeted the white population stereotyping against the Negroes, in fact here he has focused on the unjust practices that the black population is suffering from. Thus, the scope of both works from the same author is completely different though the theme is the same. Both pieces are advocating for the rights of the Negros, though not directly but by emphasizing on the social constraints and the restrictive practices being imposed on the Negros during that period. However, the article typically sticks to the stereotypes associated with the Negro population i.e. the shared perceptions of the white majority about the colored community. On the other hand, in the poem the theme remains the same but instead of talking about the shared perceptions, it focuses on the suppressive patterns prevailing in the society where Negros are placed at an inferior end on the social spectrum, thus the poem lacks the stereotypical identifications present in the article. Old Lem, Sterling A. Brown The purpose of the poem narrated by Brown is to highlight the racial injustice going on at that time particularly against the Negros. However, in the larger context the purpose of this narration is to advocate for the Negroes to advance efforts for the cause of giving them their due rights. The poem aims at highlighting the intensity of mistreatment and persecution of the Negroes by the white majority. The author sheds light on the issue that the American Dream of providing justice and liberation to all is being shattered since the Negros are being denied even the basic rights (Gabbin 1979). Even the judicial system is conspiring against them as it is being run by the powerful whites. The passion behind this narration stands to be the discrimination that the Negroes have to face in every aspect of life. Their position in the social spectrum has been destined to be slaves, and there is all kinds of stereotyping against them (Wagner 1973). Looking at the background of the situation, also the previous works of Brown, Negroes were considered to be morally as well as intellectually low and they weren’t just considered as a separate race rather as a separate species. Thus, the inspiration behind writing this poem is to raise his voice against the unjust practices and to empower the Negros by making them realize their worth. The poem is a secular folk narration of the account of a six feet tall man who was also his champ1. Brown draws an antithesis of the secular American dream, and narrates who had to face a very harsh treatment which is in reality symbolic for the entire history of the Negros` suppression. The poem draws a clear distinction between the enslaved Negros and the empowered whites and highlights the asymmetry quite opposite to the democratic ideology. He explains how the Negros are being deprived of all kinds of rights and when they try to approach the law, they are the ones who are labeled as being the criminals. Adding insult to injury, Negros even have to face mob attacks where they are even being set on fire and treated as dogs. Thus, the poem stresses that whites have always treated the Negros inhumanely and the hatred for them surpassed all limits to the extent that the whites even tried to obliterate the entire black race. Thus, the poem “Old Lem” is an advocacy based piece which is more of a voice of the suppressed sector of the society. When an oppressed community doesn’t have any other channel to raise their voices or to start a movement, the only way left to empower themselves is to write their hearts off. This is exactly what Brown has perceived of this poem to achieve. More than anything, it is an attempt to point out the unwarranted practiced targeting their population making it difficult for them to peacefully coexist with the whites. Brown wants to initiate a small movement to be a part of a bigger change he intended to experience. The Hero with a Thousand Faces: Joseph Campbell In the hero with a thousand faces, Joseph Campbell theorizes a monomyth where he identifies the standard pattern of stages that a hero follows, i.e. how he separates from the world, penetrates to some source of power and returns back to life. To understand the significance of the pattern, two of the narratives have been chosen to comment of the monomythical prototype. For this reason, portions from narratives regarding Moses and Mohammed have been chosen. Both of these figures are the spiritual leaders who have symbolically separated from the world and went through various tests of life to achieve spiritual objectives. Commenting on the myth he narrates about Moses, right after his birth he was drifted into river Nile by his mother who feared he would rather be killed. However, the significance of the separation of Moses form the world begins in his adulthood when he kills the Egyptian after which his struggle against the Pharaoh starts. When Moses started receiving messages from God, this was symbolic for his complete separation from the world. The separation was not physical rather spiritual as Moses chose to fight against the evil and against the power structure which continued through the years. The patterns drawn by Campbell are applicable in this context as the evolution from birth took place which brought him to the penetration of the power source where he had to pass through various hindrances. His return is indicated by the victory which he achieved via spiritual powers by virtue of God. Similarly, the case of Mohammed (P.B.U.H) is also a classic example of how the spiritual hero has passed the three stages of the monomyth. Though Campbell doesn’t believe in God and considers it to be merely a myth, but even if we discuss the journey of the prophet in reality, his separation too started after few years of birth as his personality was quite different from other, as he was known for his honesty and loyalty. However, when he received the message of God to spread the word, he had to face many deterrence and phases of denial and persecution in the way. He had to fight many wars against the evil and had to bear many injustices. The significance of the life enhancing return can be understood in terms of the enlightenment he pursued for his fellow believers, who took dire relief and peace after finding virtue. Thus, Campbell provides a classic blue print for all kinds of heroic myths and stories. Though he builds a case for the ancient, even Modern Greek myth heroes, however his prototype is also perfectly applicable to the real spiritual leaders of the world, making his theory a perfect advancement in understanding the various phases a hero goes through. References Brown, Sterling A, Arthur P. Davis, and Ulysses Lee. The Negro Caravan: Writings by American Negroes. New York: Dryden Press, 1941. Print. Brown, Sterling A. "Negro Character As Seen by White Authors." Journal of Negro Education. 2.2 (1933): 179-203. Print. "On "Old Lem"" Welcome to English « Department of English, College of LAS, University of Illinois. Web. 21 Apr. 2012. . Gabbin, Joanne V. The Furious Flowering of African American Poetry. Charlottesville, Va: University Press of Virginia, 1999. Print Wagner, Jean. Black Poets of the United States: From Paul Laurence Dunbar to Langston Hughes. Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1973. Print Campbell, Joseph. The Hero with a Thousand Faces. Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press, 1968. Print Read More