RACISM AND OPPRESSION IN BLACK AMERICAN LITERATURE: AN EXAMPLE OF RICHARD WRIGHT’S BLACK BOY
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of Study
1.2 Richard Wright’s Autobiography
1.3 Purpose of Study
1.4 Scope and Limitation
1.5 Justification
1.6 Methodology
Endnotes
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Related Slaves Narratives as Racial and Oppression Evidences
2.3 Black American’s Struggle for Cultural Identity and Self Image
2.4 Wright’s Attitude Towards the White and Black Worlds
Endnotes
CHAPTER THREE
RACISM AND OPPRESSION IN BLACK AMERICAN LITERATURE: AN EXAMPLE OF RICHARD WRIGHT’S BLACK BOY
3.1 Poverty and Hunger
3.2 Dehumanization
3.3 Social Insecurity
3.4 Disharmony
3.5 Rejection and Ejection
3.6 Physical and Sexual Assault
3.7 Reaction of the Characters to Racism and Oppression
3.7.1 Radicalism
3.7.2 Intellectualism
3.7.3 Violence
3.7.4 Religious Undertone
CHAPTER FOUR: SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
4.1 Summary
4.2 Conclusion
Bibliography
ABSTRACT
It is known fact that racism and oppression are one of the major issues in Black American literature. This study will attempt to make readers realize these themes in Richard Wright’s Black Boy by analyzing the concept of racial segregation of Black in America. We will examine the historical perspective of Black writing narrative and the effects of racism and oppression, which include poverty, hunger assault etc. and the ways through which the blacks reacted to racism. We can claim that Black American literature was written to oppose racism and oppression in all ramifications and also to gain self pride and identity.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
Racism in literary studies is defined by Wikipedia as the belief the of genetic factors which constitute race, are the primary determinants of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produces an inherent superiority of a particular race. Racism effects are called racial discrimination. Although the term racism usually denotes race based on prejudice, violence, dislike, discrimination or oppression. Racism is also defined simply as a reflection of the economic system and its cultural, ethnic and political ways. The concept of racism is derived from the word race and it is believed that one racial or ethnic group is inferior to another and the unequal treatment is therefore justified.
According to Charles V. Hamilton and Kwame Ture they defined racism as
“A prediction of decision and policies on consideration of race for the purpose of subordinating a racial group and maintaining control over that group”.
