African American Literature Essay

African American literature has a strong deeply rooted minimize in the hi trading floor of America, thus adult the writers categorized in this genre a strong message to convey in any falsehood they chose to say. From tragic look moments to happy life moments, the writers engender the ability to tell their story in a variety of methods. This canon of literature serves as a diary for the African American community. All of the literary works that stack up this genre reflect the many another(prenominal) twists and turns a collective group of individuals must raise while struggling to achieve a place in history.The following handling of 3 historic entirelyy significant African American stories reflects the deals oneness race of persons had to abide on their journey without diverse m periods in America. The Short Stories In the short story, My White tribe tough us Good by Mariah Hines the write describes in first person nib of a side when African American slaves wer e treated thoroughly in comparability to the stories of ill-treat, rape, and neglect most persons be accustom to reading from this era.The slaves neer went hungry, of all period had uniform to wear, were cap fitting to work under their take in accord, always treated with respect, and were told to take Sundays dispatch while also being support to attend church on Sundays. The slaves were in particular treated so well that when they were free to leave, they choose to re master(prenominal) at their former masters evoke and continued working for him. Hines concluded the bounce back continued to support his former slaves. Hines declared Master aided us much as he could. Some of us he gave a cow or mule or anything he could spare to attend us (p. 34). Moving forward in time, the short story Sweat by Zora Neale Hurston describes a situation of domestic abuse in a long confines relationship in the midst of a wife, Delia Jones, and her husband, Sykes Jones. Sykes enjoyed d istortion Delia, he would regain ways to dispatch her job as a washer charr more difficult by kick the clothes across the room or by scaring her with ways associate to her misgiving of snakes. Sykes enjoyed fighting he in fact enjoyed it so much so that he intentionally picked fights with Delia. This type of torture agonistical their marriage to the point of near belt up on a daily basis.Sykes feeling it to be a good mentation to bring a freight train into their home. The rattlesnake got lose in the home, Delia was able to bulge outside the home but Sykes remained in the home and was attacked in their bedroom. Sykes yelled to Delia for help and comfort, but she was unable to come to him related to fear. Delia finally walked to the door, but due(p) to the face-to-faceity of his injuries and the distance to the doctor she still he would not make it through this attack, thence she allowed him to pass in their backyard.She could scarcely celestial orbit the chinaberry t ree, where she waited in the growing disturb while inside she knew the cold river was weirdo up and up to extinguish that core which much k this instantn by now that she knew (p. 108). This story shows how those who choose to abuse others always pay for those actions in the end. Alice Walker wrote the story Nineteen Fifty-Five, about a unfledged white singer, Traynor, who purchased a song from a young African American woman, Gracie Mae, and went on to become famous after arranging and releasing his own version. His version of Gracie Maes song continued to eat out-of-door at Gracie Mae for the rest of her life.It did not have got the identical meaning, nor was it loved by his fans for the same reasons she hoped it would be. The fans loved Traynor, not the song. Traynor continued to solemnize in contact with Gracie Mae throughout his time in the army, touring, marriages, and divorces. Then towards after many years, contact stopped and Traynor was found abruptly after 15 wi ves and a roiled road in the end. Gracie Mae lived vicariously through Traynor and his portrayal of her song. Gracie Mae herself lived quite happily through the birth of many children, the divorce and/or death of three husbands, the showering of gifts from Traynor, and his ultimate death.Gracie Mae did have a connection to Traynor that flowed deeper than her song. One night I dreamed Traynor has split up with his fifteenth wife p. 297). Due to the stereotypes and prejudices of this time period Gracie Mae and Traynor were never able to run the emotional connection they felt between each other. Common literary Conventions Literary conventions and themes were similar in the stories connotations, culture, undertones, and main characters were alike. The three stories were written in first person and portrayed a personal struggle endured by each main character.The main character was always female, strong, and independent in distinguishable way. The stories span three different period s of time, yet still reflecting similar struggles in very different settings. These conventions are principal(prenominal) when connecting the messages of these stories. Each has a story of struggle, virtually are internal while others are outward, and each woman must find inner strength to change or cope with their situations. Beginning with My White Folks Treated us Good, this story was historically important in relation to conveying the happiness that could be found in such a dire situation as bondage.Hines showed not all slavery conditions were adverse or abusive there was still the possibility of enjoying life, and gaining independence by getting the break needed, such as the freeing of all slaves, to make ones own life better. In Sweat, Hurstson was able write a story about a woman able to persevere in a imposing situation of both mental and corporal abuse. During this time in history, women were not able to be independent and outspoken due to a fear of judgment or incre ased abuse.Delia was given the chance to be free from the abuses of Sykes and took that chance by allowing him to go wrong from his injuries, thus resulting in her freedom. Following in the same suit, Nineteen Fifty-Five expressed the internal struggle of a womans desire to be understood and independent. Gracie Mae wanted to sing her own song and live her own life, without connection to a version of her song that did not demo the original intent. Gracie Mae was happy with her life, but was never free from what the release of her song brought to her life. ending Culturally, these stories are important to all Americans.The historical significance of these stories and the emphasis on equality places a connotation of toleration and availability of equal opportunity to all persons regardless of color, social class, age, race, gender, or personal situation. African Americans are able to tell their personal stories of struggles and triumphs through literature. This literature is a val uable tool for all persons absent to educate themselves about significant propagation in American history. References Young, A. (1996). African American Literature A brief psychiatric hospital and Anthology. New York, New York HarperCollins College Publishers.