The Ethics of Living Jim Crow by Richard Wright - Analysis

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