The purpose of this paper is to introduce, discuss, and analyze the novel "The Bluest Eye" by Toni Morrison. Specifically it will discuss beauty and race, two very prominent themes in the novel, and how the author portrays them. As many people know, beauty is not how a person looks on the outside,...

This paper will look at race relations in the South in the 1940s, and Pecola's idea that if she were white, she would somehow be "better" or "beautiful." At the heart of this novel is Pecola's self-esteem and how race relations erase self-esteem and empowerment, and how the blacks of the story allo...

The purpose of this paper is to introduce, discuss, and analyze the novels "Push" by Sapphire and "Kindred" by Octavia E. Butler. Specifically it will analyze the characters of Precious in "Push" and Dana in "Kindred" as they are portrayed in each novel. Both of these characters are black women, b...

The institution of slavery was based on the premise of a distinct racial hierarchy in which blacks were to be considered and treated as the property of whites. A concept alien to us a century and a half hence, the principle of human ownership based upon skin color is a dubious one when one consider...

This book was extremely interesting to read, partly because it moved from relatively modern times (the 1970s) to the nineteenth century and back so seamlessly. The entire book read like a fantasy, rather than pure fiction, and it held my interest throughout the story. The Epilogue, however, almost...

First published in 1855, this book tells the story of Fredrick Douglass' life first as a slave, then as a fugitive, and finally as a free man working to free the rest of the slaves in the American South from bondage. This book shows he was a very well educated man who could write very well, and eng...

The purpose of this paper is to introduce, discuss, and analyze the poem "Harlem" by Langston Hughes. Specifically it will discuss the importance of the poem in Black history and literature. Langston Hughes is considered one of the premier Black poets, and he often wrote of Harlem and other places...

Langston Hughes is often referred to as of one of the most important originators and exponents of African American literature. Hughes was born in Joplin, Missouri, on 1st February, 1902. After his father deserted the family Langston was brought up by his grandmother. At an early age he was intro...