African American Literature Essay

African American lit has a severe deeply rooted background in the memorial of America, thus giving the writers categorized in this musical style a strong message to convey in any story they chose to tell. From tragic life story moments to happy life moments, the writers have the ability to tell their story in a variety of methods. This canon of belles-lettres serves as a daybook for the African American community. All of the literary works that compile this genre reflect the many twists and turns a collective group of persons must hunt while struggling to achieve a place in history.The pas m discussion of triple historic onlyy significant African American stories reflects the struggles adept race of persons had to endure on their journey throughout various while periods in America. The Short Stories In the short story, My colour Folks hardened us Good by Mariah Hines the author describes in first person account of a situation when African American slaves were inured h eadspring in comparison to the stories of abuse, rape, and neglect most persons atomic number 18 accustom to study from this era.The slaves never went hungry, ever so had clothes to wear, were adapted to work under their induce accord, always treated with respect, and were told to take Sundays off while also universe encouraged to attend church on Sundays. The slaves were in fact treated so well that when they were free to leave, they choose to re principal(prenominal) at their spring masters farm and continued working for him. Hines concluded the crucify continued to support his former slaves. Hines stated Master helped us a good deal as he could. Some of us he gave a affright or mule or anything he could spare to help us (p. 34). Moving forward in time, the short story Sweat by Zora Neale Hurston describes a situation of domestic abuse in a big term relationship between a wife, Delia Jones, and her husband, Sykes Jones. Sykes enjoyed torturing Delia, he would summon wa ys to make her job as a washwoman more(prenominal) difficult by kicking the clothes across the room or by scaring her with ways related to her fear of snakes. Sykes enjoyed fighting he in fact enjoyed it so lots so that he intentionally picked fights with Delia. This typewrite of torture strained their marriage to the point of near silence on a daily basis.Sykes thought it to be a good estimation to bring a rattlesnake into their home. The rattlesnake got lose in the home, Delia was fit to get 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 un competent to come to him related to fear. Delia at long last walked to the door, but due to the nature of his injuries and the distance to the doctor she understood he would not make it through this attack, therefore she allowed him to pass in their backyard.She could barely reach the chinaberry tree, where she waited in the growing heat while inn er(a) she knew the cold river was creeping up and up to extinguish that eye which much known 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, almost a young white singer, Traynor, who purchased a numbers from a young African American woman, Gracie Mae, and went on to become famous after recording and evacuant 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 the same 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 keep in tactual sensation with Gracie Mae throughout his time in the army, touring, marriages, and divorces. Then towards after many years, middleman stopped and Traynor was found dead after 15 wives and a upset road in the end. Gracie Mae holdd vicariously through Tr aynor and his portrayal of her song. Gracie Mae herself lived quite happily through the birth of many children, the divorce and/or death of triad 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 express the emotional connection they snarl 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 depicted a in-person struggle endured by each main character.The main character was always female, strong, and separate in distinct way. The stories span three different periods of time, yet still reflecting similar struggles in very different settings . These conventions are important when connecting the messages of these stories. Each has a story of struggle, some are internal while others are outward, and each woman must define 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 slaveholding.Hines showed not all slavery conditions were adverse or abusive there was still the possibility of enjoying life, and gaining liberty 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 dreadful situation of both moral and physical abuse. During this time in history, women were not able to be independent and outspoken due to a fear of judgment or increase abuse.Delia was given the chance to be free from the abuses of Sykes and took that chance b y allowing him to sound from his injuries, thus resulting in her freedom. Following in the same suit, Nineteen Fifty-Five expressed the internal struggle of a womans want 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 reconcile 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. Conclusion Culturally, these stories are important to all Americans.The historical deduction of these stories and the emphasis on equality places a connotation of acceptance 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 valuable tool for all persons wanting to educate themselves about significant times in American his tory. References Young, A. (1996). African American literature A brief Introduction and Anthology. New York, New York HarperCollins College Publishers.