This paper will be concerned with the possible ways of construction of identity or the loss of identity – particularly the African American identity – in the modern metropolis as it is described in August Wilson’s play Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. Which ways to construct a proper identity present themselves to the characters in the play and what will happen when they fail to acknowledge and accept these ways? In this regard, I will examine the relevance of music, society, and Christian religion.
Chapter Two will show that it is essential for the understanding of the alienation of the individual, in this case specifically the alienation of the African American musician, to take into consideration the differences between rural South and urban North and the different kinds of music connected to them. From the contrast of South and North, i.e. rural and urban springs the conflict between the old, down-home blues and the new, urban blues, which will later become swing or jazz respectively. The chapter will further address the question which impact this conflict will have on the life scripts of the individual characters. Moreover, the connection between the musician, his instrument, and the music will be examined and explained.
Chapter Three will explore the various facets of alienation and their respective sources in more detail. Moreover, it will identify and further illuminate possible ways of forming identity and which processes endanger and impede the formation of identity. Therefore, it is first necessary to diagnose how Wilson and his characters’ actions describe the urban environment. Do these actions benefit or harm the formation of identity or do they promote alienation? Can music, religion, or ancestral awareness help the city-dwelling individual to arrive at a full-rounded ontological definition of selfhood?
Chapter Four will summarise the findings of the previous chapters and evaluate them with regard to the questions raised in this introduction.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Expression and Formation of Identity through Music
2.1 Authentic South vs. Economic North
2.2 Music that Breathes and Touches
3. The Urban Experience
3.1 The City in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
3.2 How do the Play’s Characters Serve to Describe the City?
3.3 Alienation and Uprootedness
3.4 The City as a Godless Place
4. Conclusion
5. Bibliography
Research Objectives and Themes
This paper examines the construction and potential loss of African American identity within the modern urban environment as portrayed in August Wilson's play "Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom." The central research question investigates how characters attempt to establish an authentic identity and the consequences of failing to reconcile their heritage with the pressures of the modern city, with a particular focus on the roles of music, societal structures, and religious morality.
- The clash between traditional rural Southern identity and the commodified urban Northern lifestyle.
- The role of blues music as both a medium for cultural expression and a potential victim of commercial exploitation.
- The portrayal of the city as an alienating space that promotes moral decay and spiritual emptiness.
- The use of character interactions and behaviors to mirror larger social themes, including the impact of greed and social Darwinism.
- The application of biblical analogies and the seven deadly sins to diagnose the moral condition of characters in an urban setting.
Excerpt from the Book
3.4 The City as a Godless Place
In this new, alien, and urban world with its great pace and anonymous masses, the values and morals of old are bound to disintegrate (Leuchtenmüller 113f). Upon closer examination of the text, numerous transgressions of the moral Christian code become apparent. In fact, all seven cardinal virtues and the Ten Commandments are ignored; and all seven deadly sins are committed respectively. The microcosm of the Chicago recording studio serves as a representation of the larger macrocosm, which is the city.
Lust: Lust does not only signify an excessive sexual desire or bodily craving but it also comprises the need to be accepted or recognized by others. Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom presents three characters guilty of this sin, characters who violate the virtue of purity. Ma Rainey has an extramarital affair with another woman, Dussie Mae who, at the same time, allows Levee’s advances to become physical. Levee’s sexual intentions are obvious; with a metaphor taken from the animal realm he asks Dussie Mae, “can I introduce my red rooster to your brown hen?” (Wilson 82). Moreover, he has a strong urge to be recognised as a proficient musician and composer.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter outlines the paper's focus on the construction of identity in the modern metropolis and introduces the core conflict between rural traditions and urban influences.
2. Expression and Formation of Identity through Music: This section explores how blues music reflects the divide between the rural South and the economic North, and how the characters' instruments symbolize their inner traits and levels of self-discovery.
3. The Urban Experience: This chapter analyzes the city of Chicago as a cold, contradictory environment that fosters alienation, examines how character interactions reflect urban power dynamics, and uses moral frameworks to critique the spiritual decay of the setting.
4. Conclusion: The conclusion synthesizes the findings, arguing that the city serves as a primary source of uprootedness and that true identity for the characters remains anchored in the past, suggesting a return to roots is the only solution to spiritual rupture.
5. Bibliography: This section provides a list of academic sources and references used throughout the study.
Keywords
African American identity, August Wilson, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, blues music, urban experience, alienation, uprootedness, rural South, Chicago, social Darwinism, moral decay, cultural heritage, commercialization, spiritual identity, racial dynamics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this paper?
The paper examines how African American identity is formed, maintained, or lost within the context of the modern, industrial urban environment as presented in August Wilson's play "Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom."
What are the primary themes discussed?
Key themes include the impact of urbanization on traditional culture, the commodification of blues music, the role of religion in black identity, and the pervasive sense of alienation and spiritual emptiness found in city life.
What is the central research question?
The research seeks to understand how the urban environment influences the characters' self-conception and whether music and ancestral history can provide a solid foundation for ontological selfhood against the pressure of modern society.
Which methodology is employed in this research?
The paper utilizes a qualitative literary analysis, incorporating close reading of the text, an examination of historical and cultural contexts, and a comparative study of the characters' behaviors against traditional moral and religious codes.
What does the main body of the work cover?
The main body investigates the clash between Northern and Southern values, the symbolic function of musical instruments and characters, and a detailed moral analysis of how the play reflects the "seven deadly sins" within a contemporary urban context.
Which keywords best characterize this research?
Essential keywords include African American identity, August Wilson, urban alienation, blues music, cultural roots, and spiritual identity.
How does the author characterize the city of Chicago in the play?
The author depicts Chicago as a cold, godless place of contradictions, where business interests often supersede humanity and where traditional values are systematically dismantled by a capitalist, industrial mindset.
Why does the study focus on the concept of "shoes" as a symbol?
The study highlights footwear as a crucial piece of imagery used by Wilson to distinguish between characters rooted in the rural past—like Ma Rainey—and those attempting to forge a superficial modern identity, such as Levee.
- Quote paper
- Patrick Ludwig (Author), 1998, African American Identity in the City in August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/135216
