Defining Moments in Song of Solomon, Push, and Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglas :: comparison compare contrast essays

Defining Moments in Song of Solomon, Push, and Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglas For those who bask in the light of privilege in the dominant culture, they take for disposed(p) their right to assert themselves and to be acknowledged as somebody who matters. For those who live in the shadowy margins (such as the American poor and/or minorities), they experience the organized denial of the basic human rights - to live at geniuss fullest potential, in other words, an verbotenright denial from living a dignified life. Such a denial might cause one to feel voiceless and choiceless (Objective 1b). It has been the minoritys experience, (historically and in the present day) that the right to achieve ones full potential is kept just out of reach. Minorities must first fight for survival. Then, if thither is enough energy and hope remaining, they can strive to utilize vehicles of assimilation or resistance (Objective 4) in give to carve a place for themselves in th e world. However, this does not mean that a full realization of the American dream is even possible. For every small victory, there remains a bitter aftertaste. In other words, for every step gained, there is a personal or cultural sacrifice (Objective 4). Meanwhile, on the excursion to freedom, the individual is plagued with ghosts of the past. These unyieldings can appear in the form of individual/family oppression (knowledge of emotional pain, physical violence) or in the form of a historical haunting (i.e. knowledge that your ancestor was a slave the traditional family unit broken)(Objective 3). These disturbances continue to surface and demand to be worked through, thus a haunting is another factor that holds one back from achieving their full potential. Whether oppression comes from a large, historical institution such as slavery, or from inter-family abuse, it is the make of suppression that I am exploring in this essay. The process of oppression is where fami lies or institutions withhold or prevent ones self-worth or self-identity to develop. I will explore the personal journeys of the following characters 1) Frederick Douglas from The Classic Slave Narratives, 2) Milkman from Song of Solomon, 3) infrequent from Push, noting how they all share a common path through the darkness of oppression towards the ability to assert their self-identity.