Way In The Middle Of The Air Critical Lens Essay

In “Way in the Middle of the Air,” by Ray Bradbury, “The Shadow,” by Hans Christian Andersen, and “Letter to His Old Master,” by Frederick Douglass, the timeless theme of prejudice is shared. Although all three of these texts were written more than 50 years ago, nevertheless, they still have modern relevance. Prejudice has always been an issue since humanity has existed and most likely will continue to be an issue as time progresses. However, we should always do what we can to lessen prejudice and follow the “Golden Rule”. In “Way in the Middle of the Air”, prejudice is shown in a fictional format that still has historical accuracy. When the black community decides they are fed up with the lack of freedom and respect that they are treated with, they leave Earth in homemade rockets to live on Mars. The racist Samuel Teece shows his blindness and prejudice by saying “Could they do that?” when told that the African-Americans had built rockets that were suitable to travel to Mars. Teece’s saying this implies that he is dumbfounded that black people are equally as smart and capable of building rockets as white people. This quote also shows that he doesn’t believe that the black community can do anything without a white person’s permission. However, in The Shadow, the …show more content…
Since the black people are all leaving, the white people are enraged and attempting to stop them. The black people address the angry white people with “Ma’am” and “Mister” to the very end. Even Teece notices this. “‘Did you notice? Right up to the very last, by God, he said “Mister”’!” The black people are polite despite the inhuman way they have been treated throughout their lives. The politeness with which the African-Americans address the angry whites in Way in the Middle of the Air parallels the politeness with which Samuel Douglass addresses his cruel old