Realism and Modernism in Literature - Essay Example

DD Month YYYY REALISM AND MODERNISM IN LITERATURE The four in the writings depict of a contribution to African American literature. In all of the stories, concerns are raised regarding the problems of the twentieth century which ensued as a result of the color bar issues. Most of these authors’ conception of life and race has become the basis for thinking about race in America and have also served as eye openers to people around the world and as a result managed to wipe away, even if not completely, the problem of racism (Washington and Lonax). These writings possess various similarities and differences. They are all similar in the sense that these wrings take a narrative form because a systematic recitation of underlying events are seen. For example, Du Bois’ narrates of his ordeals as a teacher. Booker on the difficulties of being a slave child. Finally, Zitkala gives an account of sufferings Indian children have gone through in the hands of the white people (Du Bois). One can also argue that all these writers are political activists whose actions are strongly motivated by politics. A difference on leadership styles is also noted. Whilst a good leader ought to be tolerant, Du Bois’ has shown a lot of intolerant in how he approached Booker’s proposals, he thinks his ideas are the best and attacks them in every way possible. Zitkala and Booker on the other hand have proved to be very rational. There are similarities and differences in the works by the two great leaders of the black community in the nineteenth and twentieth century. In the works, both advocated for the better treatments of the black people. However, a great disagreement arises regarding the ways that would facilitate the economic and social progress of the black people. Booker’s work indicate that he was a reformer, educator and the most influential leader at that time and believed in the philosophy of self-help, accommodation and racial solidarity. Du Bois argued that the strategies by Booker would only increase the whites’ oppression on the blacks and stressed on the need for a political action and civil rights. Social change could only be achieved by developing few individuals from college. On the other hand, Booker held education with high regard, Booker also urged people to learn skills like crafts, farming, patience and industrial. Qualities that would enable black people earn respect from the whites and make African Americans be accepted as citizens and integrated into the society’s strata. Du Bois maintained that trade education was less helpful as compared to education itself and that industrial education as proposed by Booker, only demeaned the African American race to a low social and economic level since it could only indicate that African American are the best suited in that sector. Du Bois preferred them succeeding in arts and sciences. Taking into account political views, Du Bois encouraged African-Americans to ask for equal rights while Booker was afraid that doing so would create enmity between the two races. The four works are similar in terms of fighting against one enemy, the white man. They both illustrate on the ordeals that people from other races suffered and endured in the hands of the white men. The school days of an Indian girl and the impressions of an Indian childhood give a deep detail on the ill treatments of the white men. The white people do not put into consideration other people’s beliefs and culture and constantly engage themselves in activities that are dehumanizing to other races. For example, school days of an Indian girl tell about how the girl was tossed in the air several times by a white woman, something which was insulting since in Indian culture, only inanimate objects were played around with Zitkala-Sa also says that a white woman had their hair shaved an action in Indian culture mean that one was a loser or in mourning. The authors have expressed intense emotions of various kinds. They are angry and disappointed with the treatments received from the white men. Zitkala-Sa expresses fear and hides under a bed and felt derailed in both spirit and dignity. Du Bois’ work illustrates of the harsh treatments he received from the white men, loses a son in the process but despite that, prefers a death rather than growing up in a world dominated by color line. Booker expresses rationality in dealing with the inhuman treatments from the white men and feels that being educated and having hands-on skills would earn black people respect. All though these authors came from different backgrounds, they all shared common dreams of delivering other races and African Americans from slavery, economic and social backwardness. The authors have also displayed same vision and most of their ideas were geared towards ensuring progress of their people. All the writers have used sentimental languages in their depiction of the mistreatments, hardships and suffering of the minorities in the world specifically America. This makes me feel so touched and sympathize with them. These literary works also differ in the sense that only one author has talked about women. Zitkala has portrayed women as courageous and committed. Zitkala also represented herself as a rebellious girl who is was able to resist unfair treatments from the white man. Therefore we can say that Zitkala’s work reflects feminists’ literature in America as well the roles played by women in shaping a free and a democratic state (Taylor). These works, however, have received numerous criticisms. Booker was criticized and questioned for dining with president Roosevelt and his ideas on education were seen as unnecessary since having skills on other sectors only meant that the black people were only capable of doing poor jobs. The authors are accused of being politically motivated. They were political activists that could have rendered some of their claims as invalid and geared towards showing political prowess (Taylor). . Works Cited Washington, B. T., and Louis Lonax. Up From Slavery. New York: Dell, 1966. Print. Du Bois, W. E. B. The Souls of Black Folk. New York: Knopf, 1993. Print. Sa, Zitkala. The School Days of an Indian Girl. 2015. Print. Zitkala-S̈a, Impressions of an Indian Childhood. Gloucester, UK: Dodo Press, 2008. Print. Critics On Up From Slavery by Booker Washington. (1906): n. pag. Print. Taylor, Paul C. W.E.B. Du Bois. Philosophy Compass 5.11 (2010): 904-915. Web. Booker T Washington. 2015. Print. Turner, Jack. SHADOWS OF DU BOIS. Du Bois Review: Social Science Research on Race 8.02 (2011): 379-382. Web. Read More