The themes of racial discrimination and hardship emerge in the literary works of Bessie Head's "The Deep River: A Story of Ancient Tribal Migration," Toni Morrison's "Recitatif" and Frances Ellen Watkins Harper's "Bury Me in a Free Land." The authors take different approaches to narrate a story detailing the prejudices that people in their societies face. The setting of the literary work is in the past century, a period that is marred by sad realities of hardships and prejudices. By emphasizing on the core themes, the authors’ aims at communicating to the readers how they feel about the fundamental issues that are affecting peaceful co-existence and cohesion in the society. Coincidentally, the sentiments of the three authors reflect the challenges the contemporary society is facing.
Frances Ellen Watkins Harper composes the poem “Bury Me in a Free Land” in 1858. The poem is written seven years before the abolishment of slavery. In the poem, Harper uses strong words that evoke emotions in the readers. According to the poet, slavery is equal to death. The poet is troubled that slavery has demoralized and denigrated the African-American community. Harper recognizes that only the power of words through poetry can change the perception of the oppressor against the oppressed. The rhyming words include slave and grave. The two words have been repeated continuously in the poem. The repetition emphasizes the gravity of the contentious issues discussed in the poem. From the historical analysis, the effect of slavery has remained to haunt the American society. American society is founded on the doctrine that all human are equal. As such, all people should be treated with due respect and dignity. Whereas the constitution of America has been in existence for long, violation of fundamental, human rights have occurred in the society.
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Harper composes the poem during a period when the black population was facing all manners of violation. The society has espoused the enslavement of fellow human. The slavery was underpinned by the racial superiority of the majority white population. The term slavery may merely refer to provision of cheap labor to the masters, however, from the poem; the reader understands what slavery meant to the African-American population. The cruelty that the black community faced in America is unparalleled. Some of the lines that evoke emotions in the poem include, “And I saw her babes torn from her breast, like trembling doves from their parent nest.” ( Sherman, 1992 ) In this case, the author has died. However, he is unrestful because fellow humans are suffering from racial oppression.
The author acknowledges that racial injustices have faced the society; however, Harper is optimistic that one day the oppression will end. Harper will only rest in peace if his grave is quite devoid of noises emanating from trembling slaves ( Sherman, 1992 ). Indeed, reading Harper’s poem challenges the readers to take concerted efforts to reduce racial segregation in the society. From Harper's point of view, even the dead are useful. In his grave, Harper is seemingly advocating for the liberation of the African American community. A fundamental question that arises is the drivers of racial segregation. Harper is troubled why the black community is targeted and denied fundamental human rights even though they are all humans.
The theme of racial segregation and hardship is subtly illustrated in Bessie Head’s “The Deep River: A Story of Ancient Tribal Migration.” In the short story, Bessie narrates the lives of the people of Monemapee. Monemapee was a tribal chief who ruled his people through dictatorship and autocracy. In the community, all the citizens had an identity of “one face.” The chief who had absolute and limitless power over his subjects ruled the people. For instance, Bessie mentions that everything that would be done in the community would have to be ratified by the chief. The chief would determine when to plow the land, when to harvest and when to return home ( Head, 2013 ). All of these were done under the proclamation of the chief. Bessie highlights the traditional governance of chieftaincy and the possible consequences it had on the community. In the story, the question of independence arises.
Chief Monemapee seemingly has curtailed the independence of his subjects. It is illogical to conclude that the chief was running the community in a fair and just manner. Any society that lacks freedom of the people is likely to lead fearful and deplorable lives. Whereas the author fails to mention what happened to the dissidents or the emerging independent minds in the community, it is clear that they met a very nasty fate for defying the orders of the chief. Chief Monemapee is an epitome of reincarnated slavery. In most cases, discussion of slavery has often inclined toward the atrocities white colonialist committed to the Africans. However, in this case, Bessie defines slavery in the traditional African community context. It seems after all that slavery is a vice that can be committed by the master to the servant regardless of the background. A fundamental concept that emerges in this story is the significance of power and class. Apparently, acquisition of power elevates an individual to a higher rank. Humans have a natural propensity to be domineering when in control. It is unclear who bestowed chiefdom to Monemapee; however, it is evident that he uses his power to reign terror upon his subjects.
Bessie Head highlights the concept of class segregation and the impact it has own people. Lack of independence implies that the fundamental freedoms are also suppressed. The people of Monemapee are experiencing hardship in every measure; however, they are bound by blood to maintain the status quo. When Chief Monemapee dies, his eldest son Sebembele inherits the throne and proceeds to marry his late father’s last wife ( Head, 2013 ). In his reign as the chief, Sebembele faces a crisis due to his wife. His peers and elders disregard women ( Head, 2013 ). Bessie highlights the position of women in the society. In Monemapee, women are relegated to doing house duties; they can never have significant input concerning the management of community affairs. Again, objectification of women highlights the superiority of male gender. By excluding women from taking part in the decision-making process of the community, segregation is exemplified.
In “Recitatif,” Toni Morrison openly highlights the theme of racial undertone. The two central characters are Roberta and Twyla. Roberta is white while Twyla is black. The two friends are very close in their formative years. During that time, they treat each other as friends, being there for each other due to the similar fate. However, an incident shapes the racial perception of the two friends. Roberta’s mother refuses to greet Mary, Twyla’s mother ( Morrison, 2010 ). This embarrassing moment is racially motivated. From there onwards, the two friends become racially conscious. Morrison introduces different encounters, all of which underscores the developing racial class in the story. For instance, the readers might be intrigued to ask why Roberta’s husband is an IBM executive while Twyla’s husband is a firefighter. It is clear that the professions of the husbands denote some racial elements. In the last encounter, Twyla recognizes Roberta in a procession of people protesting forced integration. Whereas the government makes an effort to enhance peace and unity through the inclusion of the races, some factions fault the move. Roberta is one of the protestors representing the wing in the society that is still deeply rooted in racial superiority. Roberta challenges Twyla; she once kicked a young black girl ( Morrison, 2010 ). Twyla is surprised at the assertions, according to her; the girl had a sandy skin. Roberta is trying to play the guilty card on Twyla by mentioning to her that she abused a person they share the same color, hence she justifies her actions to Twyla. In the end, Twyla also joins the protest. Racial discrimination emerges as the dominant theme in the story. Sadly, Twyla and Roberta learn about racial discrimination from their parents.
The three literary works that have been analyzed that are Bessie Head's "The Deep River: A Story of Ancient Tribal Migration," Toni Morrison's "Recitatif" and Frances Ellen Watkins Harper's "Bury Me in a Free Land" exemplifies racial segregation and hardships. Although the authors take different approaches in narrating the short stories and the poem, the readers, can easily recognize elements of racial segregation and difficulties. In writing the works, the authors intend to enlighten the readers on the negative consequences of discrimination based on race, class, or socioeconomic background in the society. For instance, the story by Bessie Head outlines the implications of the lack of independence in the society and the associated hardships due to class differentiation. Toni Morrison examines the developmental stages of racism and the role it plays in the community. Conversely, Harper explains the extreme evils of racial discrimination. All these issues raised by the three authors are tied to form critical social illness that is ailing the society and requires prompt mitigation measures.
References
Harper, F. E. W. (1845). Bury me in a free land. JR Sherman (1992) African-American poetry of the nineteenth century: An anthology. Illinois: University of Illinois .
Head, B. (2013). The collector of treasures and other Botswana village tales . Waveland Press.
Morrison, T. (2010). Recitatif .
