African American Literature Essays Examples For College & High School Students in PDF

1250 total results

Searching for True Identity in Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston (485 words, 3 pages)

In life everyone tries to find their true identity. For some itcomes naturally, for others it might take years to find theiridentity, or they might never find it at all. In the novel TheirEyes Were Watching God Zora Neale Hurston reveals awomans identity through her struggles in life, her treatmentby ... Read More

Character Analysis of Shelby in the Wedding by Dorothy West (442 words, 2 pages)

In The Wedding, by Dorothy West, the major development I saw was in the character of Shelby. From the beginning till the end, the character changes and deals with many changes. Throughout the novel Shelby knows what she wants, knows she never gave a black a chance, and then decides ... Read More

Book Analysis of the Mystery of Drear House by Virginia Hamilton (425 words, 1 pages)

Virginia Hamilton. The Mystery of Drear House. Greenwillow Books, 1987. 217ppIn concluding her series of stories about the Small family, Virginia Hamilton compliments the original plot perfectly in The Mystery of Drear House. The books dark secrets begin to slowly unveil and are brought to end with a surprising friendship.The ... Read More

The Blaze of Life in Alice Walker’s Everyday Use (1521 words, 3 pages)

Rebecca VanderKlootExpository WritingSection 1014Paper 2The Blaze of LifePicture this, a young beautiful girl smiling and standing by a big gum tree. On the surface you might think this is a pleasant picture. But then you take a closer look. She is standing there looking at a fire, but not just ... Read More

An Analysis of Langston Hughes in Black Voices by the Tales of Simple (847 words, 2 pages)

Langston Hughes is represented in Black Voices by the Tales of Simple. Hughes first presents his character Jessie B. Simple in the Forward Who is Simple? In this tale the reader is given its first look at the character Jessie B. Simple who is a black man that represents almost ... Read More

An Analysis of the Use of Symbolism in Sweat by Zora Neale Hurston (969 words, 2 pages)

"Sweat" by Zora Neale Hurston is filled with symbolism ranging from images that are easily captured to things that require a little bit more insight. Religion has apparently played a major role in Hurston's life, readily seen in "Sweat" with the references to a snake and Gethsemane. Symbolism plays a ... Read More

A Literary Analysis of Native Son by Richard Wright (952 words, 5 pages)

In Native Son, Richard Wright introduces Bigger Thomas, a liar and athief. Wright evokes sympathy for this man despite the fact that hecommits two murders. Through the reactions of others to his actions andthrough his own reactions to what he has done, the author createscompassion in the reader towards Bigger ... Read More

The Cure for Happiness in Possessing the Secret of Joy by Alice Walker (1380 words, 2 pages)

Four Men to Find a CureThe four main men in Possessing the Secret of Joy have roles that contradict a stereotypical male they are the cure to Tashi's happiness. Alice Walker gives Adam, Mzee, Pierre, and Benny roles that show a softer side to men. These four men are very ... Read More

An Analysis of Self-Revelation in Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston (757 words, 4 pages)

Their Eyes Were Watching God, by Zora Neale Hurston,was a novel about one womans self-revelation. It beganwhen she was a very young girl, first being pushed, thenchosen, and finally choosing. Born a victim of circumstance,Janie was subject to her position in life. She was raised touphold the standards of the ... Read More

An Analysis of Personification in Maya Angelou’s on the Pulse of Morning (473 words, 1 pages)

Page 1 of 2 On the Pulse of MorningBy Maya Angelou"On the Pulse of Morning," is a poem written by Maya Angelou. In this poem, Angelou depicts personification. Personification is an element of literature in which an object or an animal is given human characteristics. Angelou uses personification to give ... Read More

A Look at the Views of Langston Hughes on Racism (465 words, 3 pages)

I came tothe conclusion that Langston was writing about te struggle tofreedom for blacs. Lanston Hughes wrote about racism oftenin his poems, and this particular poem seems to follow thatpattern. Hughes gives the feeling of loneliness and dismay atthe fact that he is not considered equal to white people. Thepoem ... Read More

An Overview of the Story of Once Upon a Time by Nadine Gordimer (922 words, 2 pages)

Once Upon a Social Issue Fairy tales have always been told to us as children whether to comfort or entertain us, they always seem to be a part of most everyones childhood. When Nadine Gordimer was asked to write a childrens story, she replied with a short story titled Once ... Read More

An Analysis of the Book “Cry, the Beloved Country” (430 words, 1 pages)

The book Cry, the Beloved Country is an interesting navel about apertide in South Africa. It talks about a man from a small village named Ndotsheni who travels to a large city to help his city. The theme of the movie Cry Freedom is a lot like the book. The ... Read More

The Burden of Poverty as Described in Ernest J. Gaines’ Story “The Sky Is Gray” (542 words, 1 pages)

Burdens of PovertyIn the short story The Sky is Gray, Ernest J. Gaines shows the struggles, inflicted by poverty, in an eight-year-old boys life. This poor, Negro boy, James, lives with his mother and five other relatives while his father is away. The fact that his father is gone to ... Read More

An Analysis of Reading the Book “Invisible Man” (1123 words, 2 pages)

Invisible ManAfter reading this book I wondered what it would be like to be blind then gain sight, but realize you cannot see yourself because you are invisible. It seems like a cruel joke that once you can see you realize that you still cannot see who you are. Even ... Read More

Comprehensive Analysis of Black Boy by Richard Wright (970 words, 4 pages)

TITLE Black BoyAUTHOR Richard WrightINTRODUCTION OF AUTHOR Richard Wright was born in Natchez, Mississippi. When he was six years old, his father, Nathan Wright deserted the family for whateverreason. His mother, Ella, became the breadwinner of the family. Abandoned by herhusband and unable to establish economic independence from her strict ... Read More

A Biography of Toni Morrison, the First Black Woman to Receive a Literature Nobel Prize (1803 words, 3 pages)

Toni Morrison, the first black woman to receive Nobel Prize in Literature, was born Chloe Anthony Wofford on February 18, 1931 in Lorain, Ohio, U.S.A. She was the second of four children of George Wofford, a shipyard welder and Ramah Willis Wofford. Her parents moved to Ohio from the South ... Read More

An Analysis of Toni Morrison’s Novel Beloved (910 words, 2 pages)

Toni Morrison's Beloved is set in rural Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1873. The novel is centered on a woman named Sethe, who is the mother of four children, and an escapee from slavery in a Kentucky plantation 18 years ago. She lives with her daughter, Denver in a shabby house at ... Read More

An Analysis of How A Family Faces Poverty and Racism in “A Raisin in the Sun” by Lorraine Hansberry (767 words, 4 pages)

Theplay depicts the feelings and thoughts of the people of theirtime. Their feelings are different then what we see today inour lives. The family had to deal with poverty and racism.Not having enough money and always being put downbecause of the color of their skin held them back fromhaving a ... Read More

Major Themes in A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry (748 words, 1 pages)

The above passage taken from the play A Raisin In The Sun by Lorraine Hansberry between Mama and her son Walter shows how the author can address many themes of the play in one scene or even just a few lines She addresses such themes as dreams, prejudice, and family. ... Read More

An Analysis of the Themes and Ideas in W.H Auden’s “The Age of Anxiety” (2555 words, 14 pages)

Analysis of The Age of Anxiety by W.H. Auden The themes and ideas in Auden's The Age of Anxiety reflect his belief that man's quest for self actualization is in vain. I. Auden's background A. As a 1930's poet 1. Views of Society 2. Diagnosis of the industrial society B. ... Read More

The Success and Triumphs of Maya Angelou in Literature (988 words, 5 pages)

Maya Angelou is a very triumphant woman. She has written many books and poems that have given her great success. If one would talk to her, he or she would think she has lead a normal, happy life. Her life is blissful now, but it wasnt always perfect. Maya Angelous ... Read More

An Analysis of the Writing Styles of Alice Walker (1102 words, 6 pages)

There are many different types of authors in the world of literature, authors of horror, romance, suspense, and the type that Alice Walker writes, through personal experiences. Although most critics categorize her writings as feminist, Walker describes herself as a "womanist", she defines this as "a woman who loves other ... Read More

A Comparison of October Sky by Joe Johnson and Every Day Use by Alice Walker (1770 words, 3 pages)

PARENTS AND KIDS RELATIONSHIPS "October Sky" by Joe Johnston and "Every Day Use" by Alice Walker's stories deal with parents and kids relationships. John Hickam and a middle-aged woman are parents who find themselves choosing between both of their kids. Dee and Jim are the strongest kids of the family ... Read More

An Overview of the Controversy and the Factor of Shocking in the Novel Native Son by Richard Wright (826 words, 2 pages)

Richard Wright's novel, Native Son, stirred up a real controversy by shocking the sensibilities of both black and white America. The protagonist, Bigger Thomas, is from the lowest ring of society, and Wright does not blend him with any of the romantic elements common to literary heroes. Bigger is what ... Read More

An Analysis of Valerie Wilson Wesley’s Novel No Hiding Place (1206 words, 2 pages)

In the novel, No Hiding Place, by Valerie Wilson Wesley, the main character private investigator Tamara Hayle faces many difficulties in her career in law enforcement. Wesley explores the struggles of a black woman in a white-male dominated police force and at the same time she also comments upon the ... Read More

The Life and Literary Masterpieces of Langston Hughes (395 words, 1 pages)

Brandy ClappLangston Hughes2nd Period Langston Hughes is a well- known poet who lived in the twentieth century. He wrote many poems mainly with jazz and black folk rhymes. He is remembered for his great poetry and his self- biographies. He is one of the most famous authors in the world. ... Read More

The Life of Langston Hughes: The Dreamer (560 words, 1 pages)

Langston Hughes was one of the greatest poets that ever lived. He had a unique way of writing his poetry, and his diction varied from poem to poem. His poems ranged from short and sweet, too more detailed and in depth. After reading some of his poetry I find you ... Read More

An Analysis of the Use of Metaphors in Mother to Son by Langston Hughes (640 words, 1 pages)

Hughess poem, Mother to Son, depicts a black mother advising her son to remain hopeful despite all the hardships one encounters in life. The mother informs her son that life has not always been easy for her, yet she is still carrying on. The poem communicates the message of staying ... Read More

A Review of the Poem America by Maya Angelou (668 words, 3 pages)

Maya Angelou acclaimed poet and author wrote a poem entitled America. Thepoem offers words of truth of our country America. The poem begins, The gold of herpromise, has never been mined. America, promises us that all men are created equal.The first problem with the promise is we are not all ... Read More

African American Literature Essay Examples