Everyday Use by Alice Walker and Im Still Here by Langston Hughes - Book Report/Review Example

The speaker of the poem reveals the oppressiveness of white people by saying, “Tried to make meStop laughin’, stop lovin, stop livin’—”(I’m Still Here, Line 6-7)It is because of his race that he has suffered oppression and subjugation. He has to bear the adversities on the basis of his color and race. He is alienated from the rest of his society because of his being regarded as separate or an outsider. Because of his being considered as an outcast, he is dealt with adversely by white people.

All these circumstances have led to his loneliness and seclusion. Similar themes of alienation and race can be found in Everyday Use. The characters of Everyday Use feel alienated and isolated because of their African origin.Racial awareness is depicted by Maggie’s mother's claim that she wants to stay away from places where she finds white-faced people. She says at one point, “It seems to me I have talked to them always with one foot raised in flight, and with my head turned in whichever way is farthest from them”.

She hesitates when she meets people belonging to other races because of her belonging to African background. She is fully aware of her being black due to which, she is unable to face the eyes of white people.