A common link with a majority of the texts from the turn of the century was the focus on realistic situations. Realism’s core was to inform; not to entertain or make light of the struggle between the social classes and race issues. Several authors from this literary movement (Hamlin Garland, Charles Chesnutt and Ambrose Bierce) wrote emotional narratives of individuals who struggled to assimilate in societies that ignored them. While Charles Chesnutt’s text was not as sad, however; the main character (despite being a wealthy former slave) fell victim to the idea that black people were inferior regardless of social status.
In The Wife of His Youth; Chesnutt played upon the concept of wealth being more important than heritage among certain groups of African Americans. Instead of focusing on one element; Chesnutt broke the story into multiple sections. The primary section dealt with establishing an exclusive club for African Americans of a certain hue, and how the main character held similar views. Once the foundation was made clear; the remainder of the story dealt with how Mr. Ryder tried to erase his “blackness” by attempting to marry a light- skinned woman of refined means. Through representation of …show more content…
Ryder was willing to jeopardize his identity as a black man; in order to advance himself. In regards to climbing the social ladder among the affluent; Mr. Ryder restricted his relationships to African Americans (especially love interests) of more refined statuses. When Mrs. Molly Dixon came into the picture; Mr. Ryder seized the opportunity as opening doors to more extravagance. Mr. Dixon was described as; “much younger”, “whiter” and “better educated” (382), which was considered a highlight among Mr. Ryder and the Blue Veins. In an attempt to woo Mrs. Dixon, he decided to throw her a party; in which all of the elite members (especially the Blue Veins) would attend. As expected, Chesnutt threw a curve ball in the plot that would test Mr. Ryder’s
In The Wife of His Youth; Chesnutt played upon the concept of wealth being more important than heritage among certain groups of African Americans. Instead of focusing on one element; Chesnutt broke the story into multiple sections. The primary section dealt with establishing an exclusive club for African Americans of a certain hue, and how the main character held similar views. Once the foundation was made clear; the remainder of the story dealt with how Mr. Ryder tried to erase his “blackness” by attempting to marry a light- skinned woman of refined means. Through representation of …show more content…
Ryder was willing to jeopardize his identity as a black man; in order to advance himself. In regards to climbing the social ladder among the affluent; Mr. Ryder restricted his relationships to African Americans (especially love interests) of more refined statuses. When Mrs. Molly Dixon came into the picture; Mr. Ryder seized the opportunity as opening doors to more extravagance. Mr. Dixon was described as; “much younger”, “whiter” and “better educated” (382), which was considered a highlight among Mr. Ryder and the Blue Veins. In an attempt to woo Mrs. Dixon, he decided to throw her a party; in which all of the elite members (especially the Blue Veins) would attend. As expected, Chesnutt threw a curve ball in the plot that would test Mr. Ryder’s