The Ethics of Living Jim Crow by Richard Wright - Analysis

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Themes

·       Black prejudice against blacks
·       White prejudice against blacks
·       Violence white against black
·       Lying to whites to avoid punishment
·       Altering behavior to whites to avoid punishment
·       Masking feelings and emotions to avoid punishment
·       Pretending to have no interest in learning
·       Whites against blacks exhibiting white behaviors
·       Blacks should not show knowledge or assertion


Style and Devices

·       Reported speech that mimics black people's
·       Difference between the speech of blacks and whites


People and Places

·       Arkansas
·       Mississippi
·       Richard
·       Richard's mother
·       Morrie
·       Pease
·       Jackson
·       Memphis


Keywords

·       Jim Crow
·       Nigger
·       Prostitute
·       Maid
·       Hotel
·       Bell boy
·       Hall boy
·       Elevator

Richard Wright

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