To introduce my term paper “Race and Violence in Ann Petry’s The Witness” I want to start with the definitions of the three terms race, racism and violence mentioned in the title. Regarding to the expressions I want to say something about the U.S. history, and about the current situation in the United States of America, with reference to the African American people.
The Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary explains race as follows: “one of the main groups that humans can be divided into according to their physical differences, for example the colour of their skin; a group of people who share the same language, history, culture, etc.”
Racism means “the unfair treatment of people who belong to a different race; violent behaviour towards them; the belief that some races of people are better than others”
The history of racism in the United States of America goes back to 17th century and should have come to an end with the American Civil War (1861–1865) and the abolition of slavery (1865). Unfortunately, the abolition of slavery was not the end of the African American martyrdom. It was the beginning of prejudices, discrimination, violence and struggle. When we think of racism against African American people, we think of a long and torturous way African Americans had to go and still go nowadays.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Ann Petry- An African American Writer (based on Holladay 17ff)
- Miss Muriel and Other Stories- “The Wheeling Stories”
- Summary of Ann Petry's The Witness
- Analysis of The Witness
- Themes
- Symbols
- Conclusion
- Sources
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper analyzes the themes of race, racism, and violence in Ann Petry's short story "The Witness." It aims to highlight the social and historical context in which the story is set, focusing on the experiences of African Americans in the United States during the 20th century. Key themes explored in the paper include:- Racism and its impact on African American individuals and communities
- The legacy of slavery and its continued influence on American society
- The experiences of violence and discrimination faced by African Americans
- The power of individual agency and resistance in the face of oppression
- The importance of understanding and confronting the history of racial injustice in the United States
Chapter Summaries
The introduction establishes the context for the analysis of "The Witness," defining the key terms of race, racism, and violence and exploring their historical significance in the United States. The author discusses the historical context of racism against African Americans, from the era of slavery through the 20th century, highlighting the continued presence of racial prejudice and discrimination.
Chapter two focuses on the life and career of Ann Petry, highlighting her contributions to African American literature. The chapter explores Petry's diverse range of writing, including her novels, short stories, children's books, and journalism. It also emphasizes the importance of her work in portraying the realities of African American life and struggles, particularly during the era of the Harlem Renaissance.
Chapter three provides a summary of Ann Petry's short story "The Witness." The chapter focuses on the main characters, the plot, and the setting of the story, outlining the narrative events without revealing any major plot points or spoilers.
Chapter four dives into the analysis of "The Witness," examining the story's themes, symbols, and literary techniques. The chapter discusses the author's use of imagery, character development, and narrative structure to convey the themes of race, racism, and violence. It explores the story's central message and its significance in the context of African American literature.
Keywords
This paper focuses on the themes of race, racism, and violence within the context of African American literature. Key concepts explored include Ann Petry's short story "The Witness," the Harlem Renaissance, the legacy of slavery, social justice, and the representation of African American experiences.- Quote paper
- Jeannette Nedoma (Author), 2008, Race, Racism and Violence in Ann Petry’s 'The Witness', Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/126506
