This research focuses on the poem “Elegy of Color” by Kate Hanson Foster, the book “Sweat” by Zora Neale Hurston and the play “Fences” by August Wilson. All three of these literary works provide a historical context for the understanding of racism.
In the early 20th century, amid a time of significant social and political turmoil, the poem “Elegy of Color” was written. In a historical-critical study, the historical context, the poem’s form and structure, as well as the language used in the poem will all be studied over the course of this research. All of these elements of the literary work help determine the context and meaning of the “Elegy of Color.”
Using a historical-critical approach, an examination of “Elegy of Color” would look at the poem’s form, structure, and language as well as its historical context. When considering the historical context, it’s important to keep in mind that the poem was written in the early 20th century, during a time when there was a lot of social and political turbulence (“Elegy of Color”). This is an important fact to remember. The poem, which is about the loss of innocence as well as the color in the world, portrays this upheaval and is itself a reflection of this upheaval. This is evident not only in the form and organization of the poem but also in the straightforward and lucid writing style.
Another interesting work showcasing the issue of race and religion is the book “Sweat.” The protagonist of the book “Sweat” is a lady who is trapped in a brutal marriage. African-American Zora Neale Hurston was raised in a working-class home. She was also an anthropologist and a folklorist, and her research on African-American culture had a considerable impact on her writing. It is crucial to look into how her writing was influenced by both her academic work and her personal experiences because of this. “Sweat” is a story about race and about religion and its importance of it in the lives of black people in the United States, in addition to being a story about race.
The African American family at the center of the play “Fences,” which is set in the 1950s, resides in an urban area. Florida was regarded as a Jim Crow state during this time. The story is also a tale about religion and the role that it plays in black people’s lives. It addresses the themes of family, love, and treachery, as well as questions of race, class, and gender in American culture. These are crucial considerations to make while examining the historical backdrop of the play. Sweat, Elegy of Color, and Fences can all be studied in relation to their historical settings.
One of the interpretations of the play “Fences” is a feature film. “Fences” is a 1957–1965 film, yet its themes are unmistakably connected to the years before the civil rights movement and the Vietnam War. To grasp a literary work requires an understanding of its historical context. The topic of race relations in the US is addressed in August Wilson’s “Fences.” The historical setting can be used to study Rita Dove’s “Elegy of Color” and Zora Neale Hurston’s “Sweat.”
In summary, this paper offers a research topic focusing on the different portrayals of race and racism in three literary works, “Elegy of Color,” “Fences,” and ” Sweat.” All three of these works address different aspects of people’s lives; for example, “Fences” focuses on family and treachery, while “Sweat” is about a violent relationship and religion. “Elegy of Color” should be studied considering the historical context of the events when it was written and the language the author uses.
Works Cited
“Elegy of Color.” Poetry Foundation. Web.