The 1930s was a time period in history in which people lacked hope and promise for the future. Both colored and white individuals sought for a life that provided economic prosperity by a steady paying job and a secure home to live in. However, with the 1929 Stock Market Crash and the beginnings of the Great Depression, people struggled daily to meet these needs. Homelessness and poverty struck the United States immensely; yet, no one felt the impact more than the African Americans. Due to the constant competition for employment amongst the entire population, the African Americans had no potential for available jobs (Race Relations in the 1930s and 1940s). The white population dominated the workforce and prevented many black individuals from
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Many novels, articles, plays, and short stories consist of characters that face the racial tensions in historical America. Their stories usually convey inspiration and perseverance from the troubles in history. In contrast, Richard Wright’s profound novel, Native Son, published in 1940, takes readers through an unusual journey of an African American man (Grant). His work uncovers the true emotions and feelings of African American men in the 1930s. Through the brutally honest facts and expressions, he introduces ideas on “ the psychological, the sociological, and the philosophical levels. Wright explores the most disturbing implications of what it means to be African American.” (Grant). In some cases, this honesty was too rich. Some people and places banned Native Son out of disagreement with the material presented. During the 1930s and beyond, discussion of blacks was not a societal norm and thus many people may have been considered offensive. This novel might have been banned for “sexual content” ,“violence”, and offensive material, yet it ultimately demonstrates a worthy work of literature that illuminates the norms of Great Depression America and shines yet another light on the realism of people and labels during this time (American Library
Many novels, articles, plays, and short stories consist of characters that face the racial tensions in historical America. Their stories usually convey inspiration and perseverance from the troubles in history. In contrast, Richard Wright’s profound novel, Native Son, published in 1940, takes readers through an unusual journey of an African American man (Grant). His work uncovers the true emotions and feelings of African American men in the 1930s. Through the brutally honest facts and expressions, he introduces ideas on “ the psychological, the sociological, and the philosophical levels. Wright explores the most disturbing implications of what it means to be African American.” (Grant). In some cases, this honesty was too rich. Some people and places banned Native Son out of disagreement with the material presented. During the 1930s and beyond, discussion of blacks was not a societal norm and thus many people may have been considered offensive. This novel might have been banned for “sexual content” ,“violence”, and offensive material, yet it ultimately demonstrates a worthy work of literature that illuminates the norms of Great Depression America and shines yet another light on the realism of people and labels during this time (American Library