Loss Of Classism In Djuna Barnes's 'Smoke'

Through a time of great discovery, oppression, and change, Djuna Barnes finds a way to incorporate all these themes into her short story, “Smoke,” while focusing on the most important theme— classism through racial differences. She does this through imagery and incorporation of socio-historical elements, leading to greater analysis of the story. “Smoke” tells the story of an African-American family, specifically a strong mother, Zelka, and her son, who is exposed to the conditions of typical American life in the early 1900s, risking the loss of his race, culture, and identity. Due to exposure and relations with race outside his own, the Son faces the ultimate struggle of incorporating his new family’s culture into his life, while trying to hold on to his own. Through analysis of the white American family, the black American family, and the cultural diversion of both,

As the Son’s life progresses and his culture begins to dwindle, the remaining culture he possesses gets passed down to his daughter, Little Lief. Barnes creates an image of Little Lief that juxtaposes that of her grandmother, Zelda. Zelda is initially described as strong and “very beautiful in a black way.” (Barnes 566) She maintained a beauty that was defined by her race, however overcome by her power and respect. Little Lief on the other hand is described as frail, fragile and having a “thin, delicate neck,” (Barnes 571). This juxtaposition, however minute, remains relevant in the theme of change and diminishing culture. Barnes goes as far as saying that “Little Lief had never even heard that her grandmother had been called a ‘beautiful woman in a black sort of way,’ and she had only vaguely heard of the nickname that had once been given the family, the “Bullets,” (Barnes 569). The strength that was the ultimate defining quality of their family is now lost amongst