The souls of black folk chapter 7 lit response

Markeia Scruggs

January 11, 2010

lit response

Ms. Brown

“The Souls of Black Folk” (chapter 7)

With race relations, political views and economic stance in mind, “The Souls of Black Folk” has been developed. W.E.B. Du Bois creates a work that satisfies the pathos of the reader. It also depicts the social and racial aspects of society and how they play a part in the lives of slave, newly freedmen etc. Social realism is key in the reading. In chapter seven, the social realism of the migration of black and the population boom in the south hits home.

Slavery was huge and showed no sign of ceasing. For instance, “How the Africans poured in! –fifty thousand between 1790 and 1810, and then, from Virginia and from smugglers, two thousand a year for many years more. So the thirty thousand Negroes of Georgia in 1790 doubled in a decade, -were over a hundred thousand in 1810, had reached two hundred thousand in 1820, and half a million at the time of the war. Thus like a snake the black population writhed upward.” (pg.106) Slavery was at it’s peak during the time period of the late 1700’s to the early 1800’s. The slaves seemed to have seen no end, so they escaped to the north. This is what Du Bois means by the black population writhing upward. Runaway slaves was a huge issue for the southern whites, but they saw it as an escape from captivity. They saw it as a new lease on life, like freedom. Du Bois also appeals to the pathos in a n attempt to make the reader feel sympathy for the slaves. He creates an image of a snake trying to make it up, but is constantly pushed down.

Du Bois appeals to pathos by making the reader an antagonist of the Europeans. He deems them as selfish, money hungry thieves. For example, “The Indians were removed to Indian Territoy, and settlers poured into these coveted lands to retrieve their broken fortunes.” (pg. 107) He in a way makes the Indians a friend of African slaves. Because the Southern Whites betrayed and dishonored the Indians and Blacks, we will stick together. He gives this notion indirectly through his text.

The peak of slavery has begun. The production of cotton in the south created an agricultural boom for the entire United States. With the assistance of African slaves, America would be more phosphorus. The text states, “For a radius of a hundred miles about Albanyj, stretched a great fertile land, luxuriant with forests of pine, oak, ash, hickory, and poplar; hot with the sun and damp with the rich black swamp-land; and here the courner-stone of the Cotton Kingdom was laid.” (pg. 107) The creation of the Cotton Kingdom has started and this begins a whole new era in slavery. With the production of cotton for the entire nation, slaves are worked harder and longer to satisfy demands. In due time this ends. Thanks to the Civil war, the Cotton Kingdom is destroyed and slaves are freed from bondage.

To conclude, Du Bois creates an image of the real and true world he sees around himself. This intertwines with the social realism of the post slavery South. At this time it seemed normal, but as we look at it today we are astonished. In this way, W.E.B. Du Bois appeals to the pathos of the reader. Du Bois paints a dreadful picture of society in this time.

The Souls of Black Folk

Markeia Scruggs

January 6, 2010

Lit Response (The Souls of Black Folk)

Ms. Brown-Ap English 3

“The Souls of Black Folk”

“The Souls of Black Folk,” written by W.E.B. DuBois, indepthly depicts the atmosphere of social realism during the time. Many hints are given to define the actual time in history in which this book takes place. Incredible diction is used to further the reader’s understanding of the overall topic and message of the book. The book has a huge appeal to pathos because he sides with black folk and expects the reader to do the same. DuBois creates a spectrum of the social and racial issues happening during that time and shows how blacks’ role in America is belittled and completely unnoticed.

In the beginning of “The Souls of Black Folk” DuBois deems himself as a normal child with a normal life but he’s soon enlightened on the actual issue of his being. Because he is black he learns that many things are different about him and many things will be different for him in life. For instance, “Then it dawned upon me with a certain suddenness that I was different from the others; or like a mayhap, in heart and life and longing, but shut out from their world by a vast veil.”(chap.1, page 44) He finally sees how he’s different from the other children and how his life will be different from now on. He feels isolated from the rest of society, his classmates, because he is different from the rest of them. He comes to see that he is different and sees how people who are different are treated differently. This ties into the whole colored people being treated badly because they look different scenario.

Another problem presented in society besides debasement was lack of or unequal opportunity for blacks. DuBois states, “for the woeds I longed for, and all their dazzling opportunities were theirs, not mine. But they should not keep these prizes, I said; some, all , I would wrest from them.” He was determined to go against the odds and predestinations for African Americans by taking what was believed to be his. By taking on a new attitude about his opportunities, he could obtain his goals. In this quote he also describes how these great opportunities aren’t supposed to be his because he’s black folk and can’t be obtained by blacks but it’s surely untrue.

African American’s struggle with themselves and God was another huge problem in society. With all the tension of Whites belittling their stature and unimportance in society, they began to question their own origin. “Why did God make me an outcast and a stranger in mine own house?”(chapter 1, page 9) He asks how can he be placed in such a place deemed to be his home, yet the Whites make him feel unwelcome. Better yet, he asks how can THEY bring US here, tell US this is our home and make US think we don’t belong. He struggles with this question and in a way tests God’s authority by asking such a question.

To conclude, social realism is presented continuously in “The Souls of Black Folk.” Many problems in society many years ago were emphasized and described in detail with good diction to get the point across. DuBois recreates the issues of society with clever word choice and crisp description.

the jumping frog

Markeia Scruggs

December 1,2009

Lit Response

“The Jumping Frog”

According to Webster’s dictionary, realism is the theory or practice of fidelity in art and literature to nature or to real life and to accurate representation without idealization. In “The Jumping Frog,” Mark Twain uses realism to portray the theme of the society of America. Through the development of the characters Mark Twain (the narrator), and Jim Smiley’s pets, Twain was able to present the theme of the society of America by the use of realism. He puts it straight forward as oppose to romanticism, which would contain superfluous diction and figurative language. The nineteenth century American society is emphasized through realism in “The Jumping Frog.”

The story “The Jumping Frog,” starts with Simon Wheeler telling the narrator a story of Jim Smiley’s gambling plots, and how he used his animals to execute them. Wheeler continues his stories and also continues to pass on the story of Jim Smiley gambling schemes and his pets. Wheeler was a talkative man who told the story of Jim Smiley to many.

At the time in which Twain wrote “The Jumping Frog,” the American society presented some issues. There were differences in opinion between the East and the West. Easterners had a reputation of being civilized beings, while Westerners, which still had settlers arriving, was thought to be for lower class, less educated people. As a result, Westerners deemed the Easterners as deceived and immature.

Twain gave interesting names to Smiley’s pets. The dog was named Andrew Jackson and the frog, Daniel Webster. The characteristics of his dog, Andrew Jackson, portrayed an element of realism because the he embodied the traits of Andrew Jackson, the president. “ And a dog might tackle him, and bullyrag him, and bite him, and throw him over his shoulder two or three time, and Andrew Jackson-which was the name of the pup-Andrew Jackson would never let on but what he was satisfied, and hadn’t expected nothing else-and the bets doubled and doubled on the other side all the time, till the money was all up.”(“The Jumping Frog”, page two) Andrew Jackson never let little obstacles get him down, and always had determination and ambition, and that’s exactly what Andrew Jackson, the dog, showed. The story goes on to say “Smiley always come out winner on that pup.” Like Andrew Jackson, the president, he was a champion in what he did and with one fatal incident, died. Daniel Webster was a prominent figure during the Antebellum period and soared above all others as a leader, as did Daniel Webster, the frog. Daniel Webster, the frog, was also a prominent being and was very talented as well. “Flies, Dan’l, flies!” and quiker’n you could wink he’d spring straight up, and snake a fly off’n the ounter there, and flop down on the floor again as solid as a gob of mud, and fall to scratching the side of his head with his hind foot as indifferent as if he hadn’t no idea he’d been all he was so gifted.” (“The Jumping Frog” page three) He was extremely good at what he did but didn’t believe it himself. Twain’s use of realism in his diction makes the content easier to comprehend and also highlights the character’s semblance.

The narrator was deemed as snobbish because of his proper ways. He spoke English well and was well educated. Because he is annoyed by Wheeler’s speech, he doesn’t take him seriously. Therefore, the narrator completely disregards the story of Jim Smiley. The effect of realism contributes to the overall meaning of the text. The narrator’s proper ways contributed to his inability to bare the ignorance of others.

“The Jumping Frog” is a story of realism. It’s diction creates a theme of the society of America. This is presented by developing the characters, Jim Smiley’s pets and the narrator. The accurate representation of these characters creates the theme and sets the tone of the story.

(Grammar)Sentence Analysis

Markeia Scruggs
October 19, 2009
Lit Response

“Young Goodman Brown”
“Young Goodman Brown”(S) is (V) a puzzling story that has many factors that help (D.O) to contribute to that mysteriousness (I.O). (TO BE ) In this story (S), he leaves (V) his newly wed wife (D.O) to journey into the forest in which he plans to return the next morning. Although Brown (S) has (V) some suspicions of unholy dealings, he continues on his journey. The story (S) is (V) set in Salem, Massachusetts, which at the time was big on witchery, and feeds into the whole Puritanism and American Gothicism ideal. (TO BE)The fact that it is during the time of the Salem Witch Trials (S) gives (V) the story more intensity. (TO BE)
“Young Goodman Brown”(S), written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, is (V) a mysterious story of Goodman Brown’s encounters. (TO BE) On his journey (S) he has (V) many strange encounters and many hints that warn him, he just doesn’t listen until it’s too late. (TO BE) The setting (S) creates (V) great imagery which is a contributing factor to its American Gothicism characteristics. These factors (S) help (V) to paint a picture that in this case can’t be solved.

The Minister's Black Veil

Markeia Scruggs
October 20, 2009
Lit Response
“The Minister’s Black Veil A Parable”
“The Minister’s Black Veil a Parable” is a story of a mysterious man who comes into town and in a way disturbs it. In this story, Mr. Hooper wears a black veil, in which he never removes for anyone, and that seems to bother the townspeople. This veil that he wears covers the entire face, except the mouth and chin. When he attends a funeral, it seems to be appropriate, but when he attends a wedding with the dreadful veil on everyone remorses him. No one knows why he wears the veil, not even his fiancée, Elizabeth. She asks him many times to remove it and he doesn’t, nor does he tell her why he wears it. As a result, she leaves him, breaking off their engagement. Though many people abandon and despise Hooper for his veil, it proves to make him a better clergyman. At his death bed, Elizabeth tries to get him to remove his veil again, but he refuses and ends by stating that everyone wears a veil. This mysterious veil is used by Hawthorne to set the tone of dull American Gothicism. In this story, he uses many elements to do so.
Hooper was actually regarded as a normal person in the beginning. The text states, “a gentlemanly person of about thirty, though still a bachelor…dressed with clerical neatness, as if a careful wife had starched his band and brushed the weekly dust from his Sunday’s garb.” Because the people of the town didn’t understand his intentions for wearing the black veil, they criticized and judged him. “Such was the effect of this simple piece of crape, that more than one woman of delicate nerves was forced to leave the meeting-house. Yet perhaps the pale-faced congregation was almost as fearful a sight to the minister, as his black veil to them.” Hawthorne writes.
Symbolism is used heavily in this story. The black veil in this case represents secret sin. To Hooper, a minister, everyone wore a black veil because everyone has something to hide. “Why do you tremble at me alone? cried he, turning his veiled face round the circle of pale spectators. Tremble also at each other! Have men avoided me, and women shown no pity, and children screamed and fled, only for my black veil? What, but mystery which obscurely typifies, has made this piece of crape so awful? When the friend shows his inmost heart to his friend; the lover to his best beloved; when man does not vainly shrink from the eye of his Creator, loathsomely treasuring up the secret of his sin; then deem me a monster, for the symbol beneath which I have lived, and die! I look around me, and, lo! On every visage a Black Veil!” Hawthorne’s intense diction finally reveals Hooper’s inner thoughts and feelings, which in a way were concealed by the veil also through out the entire story.
“The Minister’s Black Veil A Parable” is a story that outlines the true nature of human kind. It gives a story within a story and does so by creating an element of suspense. Nathaniel Hawthorne uses many literary elements to feed into the American Gothicism heading. This story definitely makes the reader feel the intensity of the story and American Gothicism in literature.

Young Goodman Brown

Markeia Scruggs
October 19, 2009
Lit Response

“Young Goodman Brown”
“Young Goodman Brown” is a puzzling story that has many factors that help to contribute to that mysteriousness. In this story, he leaves his newly wed wife to journey into the forest in which he plans to return the next morning. Although Brown has some suspicions of unholy dealings, he continues on his journey. The story is set in Salem, Massachusetts, which at the time was big on witchery, and feeds into the whole Puritanism and American Gothicism ideal. The fact that it is during the time of the Salem Witch Trials gives the story more intensity.
During his journey through the forest, he finds that many townspeople are coming to the meeting. The fact that Christians, ministers and deacons from his town accompany him seems to reassure Brown that his destination is in fact safe, though it contradicts the actual meaning of the trip. Hawthorne writes, “It vexed him the more, because he could have sworn, were such a thing possible, that he recognized the voices of the minister and Deacon Gookin, jogging along quietly, as they were wont to do, when bound to some ordination or ecclesiastical council. While yet within hearing, one of the riders stopped to pluck a switch.” The fact that he realizes that these “holy” and trustworthy people are accompanying him gives Brown a sense of security. He once again is swayed to continue on his journey.
Upon actually realizing what is going on, Brown tries to save his wife, Faith, from being converted. The text states, “Faith! Shouted Goodman Brown, in a voice of agony and desperation; and the echoes of the forest mocked him, crying, Faith! Faith! As if bewildered wretches were seeking her all through the wilderness…Look up to heaven, and resist the wicked one.” After that moment, Brown finds himself alone in the forest. He travels back to Salem where his life seems back to normal. Nothing seems to have changed, but Brown knows what he encountered, he just doesn’t know if it is reality or a dream. Soon Brown dies, but his family seems to take light of it. “And when he had lived long, and was borne to his grave a hoary corpse, followed by Faith, an aged woman, and children and grandchildren, a goodly procession, besides neighbors not a few, they carved no hopeful verse upon his tombstone, for his dying hour was gloom.” Hawthorne writes.
“Young Goodman Brown”, written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, is a mysterious story of Goodman Brown’s encounters. On his journey he has many strange encounters and many hints that warn him, he just doesn’t listen until it’s too late. The setting creates great imagery which is a contributing factor to its American Gothicism characteristics. These factors help to paint a picture, that in this case can’t be solved.

"The Devil and Tom Walker" Washington Irving

Markeia Scruggs
October 15, 2009
Lit Response

“The Devil and Tom Walker”
“The Devil and Tom Walker” is a story from the American gothic era in literature. In this story, Irving tells a story of Tom Walker’s dealings with the devil. It tells of how he stumbled upon the devil’s treasures and how he and his wife went missing. With a central theme of greed and being set in New England in 1727, Irving creates a scene of dreariness. His work is the exact opposite of Puritan beliefs, and therefore he incorporates hostility towards them within “The Devil and Tom Walker.” Washington Irving uses many literary devices to critique the puritans.
In “The Devil and Tom Walker” the treasure seems to contradict itself. Because it is treasure, it is a wonderful thing that can bring wonderful materialistic things. On the other hand, it’s the devil’s treasure, and it seems to come with some dire consequences. The text states, “Under one of these gigantic trees, according to old stories, there was a great amount of treasure buried by Kidd the pirate…The old stories add, moreover, that the devil presided at the hiding of the money, and took it under his guardianship; but this, it is well known, he always does with buried treasure, particularly when it has been ill gotten.” Even though it’s a great treasure to possess, it brings troubles. For example, “As he scrambled up the tree the vulture spread its wide wings, and sailed off screaming into the deep shadows of the forest. Tom seized the check apron, but woful sight! Found nothing but a heart and liver tied up in it.” Irving writes. This is also an example of how he indirectly criticizes puritans. He openly discusses the gruesomeness of the story. This is a prime example of American Gothicism.
The disappearance of Tom Walker adds to the claim of American Gothicism. The text states, “Tom Walker never returned to foreclose the mortgage. A countryman who lived on the borders of the swamp, reported that in the height of the thunder gust he had heard a great clattering of hoofs and a howling along the road, and that when he ran to the window he just caught sight of a figure, such as I have described, on a horse that galloped like mad across the fields, over the hills and down into the black hemlock swamp towards the old Indian fort; and that shortly after a thunderbolt fell in that direction which seemed to set the whole forest in a blaze.” This intense use of diction combined with vivid imagery makes the story that much more interesting. It adds to the effect of the Gothicism. It also makes the story duller. With that said, it obviously contradicts that whole idea of Puritanism.
It can be concluded that Washington Irving does a great job with supporting the claim of dreary Gothicism. It obviously goes against every aspect of Puritanism. As a story from the American Gothicism era in literature, it successfully fulfills the position.