Literacy in Song of Solomon, Life of Frederick Douglass, Push and Slave Narratives :: comparison compare contrast essays

Exploration of Language and Literacy in Song of Solomon, Life of Frederick Douglass, Push and Slave Narratives Afri john-Americans have been contributing to American literature for hundreds of years. From Gustavus Vassa, or Olaudah Equiano, in 1789 to Sapphire in 1996, writers have been weighty their stories. The influence of minority writers and speakers on literature, literacy, and language is certainly notable. First of all, fateful American literature helps others hear the minority portion and vicariously parting the minority experience. The typical whiten reader cannot understand what the black operate undergoes on a daily and generational basis however, literature can bring the white reader into the minoritys world by tapping into the readers imagination and sympathies. The main(prenominal) purpose of the slave narratives is to let readers share the slaves experiences, and as a issuing elicit sympathies so that the reader will consider, and hopefully act upon, em ancipationist ideals. In the preface to Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave, William Lloyd Garrison writes well-nigh Douglass and the white northerners whose sympathy and affection he has strongly secured by the some sufferings he has endured, ...whose minds he has enlightened on the subject of slavery, and who have been swimming to tears by his pathos, or roused to virtuous indignation by his inhalation eloquence against the enslavers of men (ix). Douglass was certainly aware of his mission to agitate the macrocosm mind and win the hearts of others (xii). He achieved this purpose through his give tongue to unwaveringly telling the pitiful story of his slave experiences. How could his audience fling a deaf ear to such eloquence and power? analogous Douglass, Sapphire shares the minority experience with the privileged population. She achieves this feat through the typesetters case odd and her unique voice. The minority voice is distinct and unavoi dable, for it is the voice that narrates the story. For example, Precious contrasts her lifespan experiences with the dominant classs experiences What is a normal life? A life where you not shamed of your mother. Where your friends come over after school and watch TV and do homework. Where your mother is normal looking and dont hit you over the mastermind wif iron skillet. I would wish for in my fantasy a certify chance. Since my first chance go to Mama and Daddy (Sapphire 114-115). These powerful statements from the voice of an eighteen year old African-American girl bring the white reader into the reality of the life of the minority.