Racism In 'Quicksand' By Nella Larsen

I am writing this letter concerning an uprising issue with your digital library service. Recently, I read a novel, “Quicksand” by Nella Larsen, on your site and it made me realize that some parts of the novel are difficult to understand by an average reader. For example, an important theme, racism is used in many parts of the novel, and some of these parts require further explanation. So, therefore, I propose that you enhance your digital book by adding annotations to the text. These annotations could be glossary definitions, or researched descriptive annotations. With the addition of a researched annotation and glossary annotations, readers will be able to better understand the topic of racism in “Quicksand” by Nella Larsen.
Glossary annotations …show more content…
In my researched annotation, I have chosen to research the topic of differences formed by racism. In “Quicksand” by Nella Larsen, Helga wishes to identify with the black population and conduct hypothetical fights for racial equality; however, her greatest comfort zone is in environments most closely associated with a less colorful, more inhibited white culture. Having a black father and a white mother, Helga experiences a lifetime of never feeling fully accepted by either group. On the one hand, she wishes for the emotional intimacy that close relationships would produce. Faced with constant uncertainty and conflict in this area, Helga swings wildly between the two worlds, never finding comfort in either one. In this topic, a reader can question what impact did racism have on African-Americans during the 1920s, when this story was published, and how it caused them to question their traditional values or …show more content…
In “Quicksand”, Naxos, the southern boarding school for Negro children, serves to represent the hypocrisy and racial oppression that Helga despises. While the school allegedly promotes liberal ideals as to black education, she is disgusted at its inherent endorsement of racism, feeling that it was an “exemplification of the white man’s magnanimity.” The atmosphere is stifling to her, as is her engagement to the conformist James Vayle, who belongs to a black family that fails to accept Helga Crane. On the other hand, Copenhagen, is the essence of freedom for Helga. She is a racial curiosity to its citizens as she is unique there, rather than an object of embarrassment to her family. Her job in Copenhagen is simply to enhance the social ranking of the family and to wear the beautiful, colorful clothing bought for her. The only impairment to happiness and emotional freedom present in Denmark is the weight of the chronic dissatisfaction that Helga places upon herself