Theme Of Change In Ragtime

In the story Krik? Krak!, author Edwidge Danticat provides insight into the everyday lives of Haitians living during a tumultuous time period. Danticat, a Haitian native, understands the struggles that nearly all individuals endured passed on from generation to generation. Through the description of one's struggles, Danticat wants the reader to understand the dangerous power that hope entails.

In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee presents a life of Jean Louis Finch, also known as Scout, growing up in a small town. The setting of the story takes place in Maycomb, Alabama in the 1960’s. Life for Scout growing up appears difficult because of the Great Depression, racial inequality, white supremacy, and peoples’ prejudiced mindset. In the beginning of the book, Scout’s character shows her innocence, her tomboyish side, her adventurous personality, and her ability to question and observe the goodness and evilness of society. By the end of the novel, Scout learns fighting does not fix everything, possessing lady-like characteristics obtain value and holding prejudiced thoughts reflects in every person’s life. Atticus Finch and Calpurnia instill fundamental advice into Scout that she needs for development and success in life.

The story takes place at the height of the Civil Rights Movement in America, when desegregation is finally achieved. Flannery O’Connor’s use of setting augments the mood and deepens the context of the story. However, O’Connor’s method is subtle, often relying on connotation and implication to drive her point across.

In the short story “Sonny’s Blues” by James Baldwin there were characters whose dreams were stated, one of which were shattered by drugs and misfortune and others which would eventually come to be true. Harlem-life has been retold throughout many pieces of African-American literature, ranging from voices expressed in 1925 publication of “The New Negro” to James Baldwin’s fictional short story “Sonny’s Blues,” published in 1957. Echoing throughout different pieces are the words and visions of “a dream deferred,” challenging readers to place themselves into the harsh culture that African-Americans have to wake up to every morning. In “Sonny’s Blues,” a character offers this account of Harlem: “All that hatred down there… all that hatred and misery and love. It’s a wonder it

It cannot be doubted that Langston Hughes is not just one of the most illustrious Black Writers but also one who had a very strong contribution to the early struggles of the Black Americans against discrimination and segregation in the country. Hughes exceptionally combined the power of his art and his political voice in advancing his stand to the pressing issues of his day, most notable of which was the assertion of the rights of Black Americans and of their stature in the economic, political and cultural spheres of society. This movement was then tagged as the Harlem Renaissance movement owing to the fact that it gained steam in Harlem, New York.

Published in 1975, the book Ragtime by E.L. Doctorow is a story of the oppression of different social groups whether it is immigrants or other races. The novel takes place during the period of American history called “The Gilded Age”, coined by the author Mark Twain in 1873 in his novel The Gilded Age: A Tale of Today, referred to gilding, or the application of gold to different surfaces which manifested the homes of the American elite, such as Cornelius Vanderbilt, imitating the homes of the Czars in Russia. The Gilded Age showed the rise of extremely wealthy families who had risen above all and created large wealth gaps between the social classes, resulting in the rise of socialism and communism, ultimately leading to the creation of labor unions and strikes. The passage in chapter thirty-four takes place during a storm on the beach in Atlantic City, where Tateh and Mother look for the little boy and girl. Doctorow uses imagery, anaphora, cataloging, and similes to represent that even in harsh times there was still hope which embodies the American dream.

When thinking of personal experiences, “The Mother” by Gwendolyn Brooks touches on the emotional topic of abortion. Even though this poem was published decades ago, it can still be seen very relevant to this day. Accepting abortion and the outcome can indeed be a challenging task for many, while others seem to adapt to it without much of a problem. Gwendolyn Brooks’ writing lets us take a look at the mothers view point of abortion and how a mother responds to her new situation. Throughout the poem, the speaker shows signs of grieving concern of the topic of abortion and its outcomes by presenting emotions of regret and memories, shame and guilt, and contradicting herself to almost justify what she has done.

Parenting has been a long practice that desires and demands unconditional sacrifices. Sacrifice is something that makes motherhood worthwhile. The mother-child relationship can be a standout amongst the most convoluted, and fulfilling, of all connections. Women are fuel by self-sacrifice and guilt - but everyone is the better for it. Their youngsters, who feel adored; whatever is left of us, who are saved disagreeable experiences with adolescents raised without affection or warmth; and mothers most importantly. For, in relinquishing, a mother feels strong and liberal; and in guild she finds the motivation to right wrong.

Blood brothers is a musical play that was written by the playwright Willy Russell. The play is based on the inequality between social classes in Liverpool during the 1950s to 1980s. The play begins with the character Mrs. Johnstone; she is from the lower class. Mrs. Johnstone was suffering from her failure marriage, and that she has seven children with two others coming on the way. The difference between social classes is shown between Mrs. Johnston and the house that she works as a cleaner in, which is Mrs. Lyons’ house. Mrs. Johnstone has a small messy house full of children with lots of noises, games and fights. While Mrs. Lyons has a big empty house without any noises, because she has a problem that is she can’t get babies, but in the same time she is so desperate for having one. Mrs. Lyons always pressures and tries to convince Mrs. Johnstone to giver one of her babies that are coming soon, but Mrs. Johnstone is hesitant and tentative about it. However when she thinks about how her child’s life would be like; living in a rich house with

Sarah Breedlove, also known as Madam C.J. Walker, born on December twenty-third of eighteen sixty-seven in Delta, Louisiana. Sarah Breedlove is to be considered lucky as to which she was the first child in her family to be a “free-born” from slavery once her parents were allowed to leave. She lived a tragedy at such an early age of seven with the withdrawal of her parents’ lives in this world. Sarah was then later in the custody of her older sister. At such an early age, Sarah Breedlove was married to her first husband, Moses McWilliams, and became a teenage mother at eighteen with her daughter named A ’Leila. Two years later, her husband McWilliams passed away. While maintaining her young daughter at a public school with the low payment Sarah Breedlove received, she began to

In the Narrative of Frederick Douglass, Douglass is tasked with not only making a case for abolitionism, but also making this case to an audience that contributes to and benefits from slavery. As such, he must provide an account that is equal parts believable and moving, all the while treading the line of not alienating his target audience of white women. However, through his depiction of slavery as a corrosive agent on the family structure and ideals, Douglass makes a sentimental appeal to white women.

The book “Their Eyes Were Watching God Hurston”, was written during the Harlem Renaissance, which was a period of time between the end of World War 1 and the middle of the 1920s where the cultural, social, and artistic explosion took place. Harlem was considered a cultural center for the artist, musicians, photographers, poets, and scholars (Jim Crow). This book was the first novel to be written by a black woman in that Era.

During the 19th century, women were overshadowed by the men of their household, therefore they had no sense of independence nor dominance. In Mary Freeman’s short story, “The Revolt of Mother,” the author presents Sarah Penn, a woman who takes a stand against her husband. In the beginning, the reader learns that Sarah is a hardworking mother and wife. She maintains the household work and meets her children needs. She is suddenly confused of her husband’s actions concerning their future. Sarah then decides to take charge and confront her husband. Throughout the story, the author presents a realistic view of the domestic power and counter forces within the Penn marriage as she develops Sarah’s role. Her leadership breaks traditions and influences generations to come. To brighten her family’s future, Sarah begins taking charge, altering their marriage and attitudes of her children .

Wright cared for her children to show the love, respect, responsibilities she had. She would do anything to keep her children by her side. She luckily found her a job and she started becoming head of the house. She would leave bread and tea for her sons to eat everyday before she leaves to go to work. One day, Mrs Wright said to Richard, " Richard you're going to start doing the shopping for the food.' Richard was scared because he never went shopping on his own, because he had always had his mothers protection, but this time was different. During this harsh time, Mrs. Wright remained wise when Richard knew he had to stand up to his

Literature has been a constant expression of artistic emotion throughout history. Over the course of the years, Literature has developed and changed due to America’s evolution. These changing time periods can be classified into 9 eras: Colonial, Revolutionary, Romantic, Transcendental, Realism, Modern, Harlem Renaissance, Beat Generation, and Postmodern. Throughout the changing history, new literary eras have begun in response to previous eras and events. American Literature has changed over time by adapting previous values, beliefs, and literary characteristics when a new era presents itself; this progression is due to changing societal views in