Identity in “the Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man”

Identity in â€Å"The Autobiography of an ex-colored man† The Autobiography of an ex-colored man is a fiction novel dealing with acceptance and fitting in. The narrator of the story, who is considered both black and white, is struggling in his quest to find his true identity. The book is tragic and ironic in a way, since the main character spends a huge part of his life pretending to be white, while the author, James Johnson, is an active fighter for the rights of colored people. The novel itself is one of the first texts ever written, showing the difficulties which people of colour were facing. The hero goes back and forth while exploring the world and his roots. That is why, probably seeking redemption, he goes back to his childhood dream†¦show more content†¦This once again underestimates Shiny’s success. The author hints that his abilities have nothing to do with his successful speech, because after all Shiny is â€Å"what is common in his race, a natural orator.† The author also paints the picture of how the â₠¬Å"boy gallantly waging with puny, black arms so unequal† managed to touch the â€Å"deep springs in the hearts of his audience†. The perceived weakness of the African-American people is notably present in the description of the scene, and it provokes deep sympathy in the readers. This particular memory of the narrator is crucial for understanding his motives. It may seem like he is running away from his race and living the life of a white man because it is easier, but considering the fact that he observes this scene through his â€Å"coloured eyes†, we can assume that this is probably in the bottom of his decision not to pursue his dream and to end up choosing the â€Å"easy† path ofShow MoreRelated Racial Identity in The Autobiography of an Ex-colored Man Essay1327 Words   |  6 Pagescommunity in his novel â€Å"The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man.† One does not only read this book, but instead one takes a journey alongside a burdened mulatto man as he struggles to claim one race as his own. In Johnsons novel, the young mulatto boy is at first completely unaware of his unique circumstance, and lives life comfortably and oblivious to the oppression of the black race outside of his home in Connecticut. 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In The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored, the author James Weldon Johnson, constructs an oppressive and judgmental image of America through the experiences of an unnamed man of mixed ethnic background. The main characterRead MoreThe narrator of The Autobiography of an Ex-colored Man was born to a â€Å"colored† mother and white1200 Words   |  5 PagesThe narrator of The Autobiography of an Ex-colored Man was born to a â€Å"colored† mother and white father. This combination of his identity led him to encounter many internal and external challenges. Physically he appeared white, so he experienced being able to â€Å"pass† as both â€Å"colored† or white whenever he wished. Being able do such a thing, the narrator struggled with racial boundaries. He embodied almost every permutation, intentional or unintentional, of the experience when encountering various racialRead MoreRacial Segregation And Jim Crow Essay2143 Words   |  9 PagesMemory and Identity i n Black America since 1940†). 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