The Native Son by Richard Wright is a novel that highlights the unfair discrimination and inequality of blacks in 1930’s Chicago. Bigger Thomas is a poor, uneducated, twenty-year-old black man that lives with his family in a cramped apartment on the South Side of the city. In this novel it is apparent that Bigger has no control of his life and cannot aspire to be anything special. Society on the South Side of Chicago was restricting and oppressive for blacks.

In this novel Richard Wright explores the psychological corruption of Bigger Thomas to give the reader a new perspective on the oppression of racism in society. Bigger’s psychological damage derives from the constant barrage of racist propaganda and discrimination. The frequent bombardment of racism elicited a great deal of fear and anger in Bigger. After accidentally killing Mary Dalton, Bigger doesn’t feel guilt, but rather exultation. In this novel Wright illustrates that the oppression of racism has inevitably pushed blacks into an unstable state of mind. During Bigger’s trial his lawyer Max tries to prevent the death penalty by claiming that these actions were a product of Bigger’s environment. Ultimately, this proclamation displays that Bigger’s crimes belonged to the fearful, hopeless existence that he has experienced in a racist society since birth. Max states that if America does not end the vicious system of racism that more people like Bigger will come into existence in the near future.

Although murder is undeniably unacceptable in any society, I can’t help but feel bad for Bigger Thomas. Ever since birth Bigger had experienced the oppression of racism in society. Bigger was not a true hero, however, he demonstrated the detrimental effects of the social conditions in which he was raised.

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald is a fictional novel that accurately depicts America during the roaring twenties. The 1920’s in America marked a period of dramatic social and political change. After World War one the stock market suddenly increased significantly, increasing national wealth and consumerism. America was introduced to extreme economic change, which redistributed wealth unequally among certain people. The Great Gatsby encompasses a story of love between a man and a women, however, entails a larger theme about the corruption behind the idolized American Dream.

In this novel the narrator, Nick Carraway, moves to New York from the Midwest in search of fortune. Nick moves into a small house in a town called West Egg in Long Island. Nick Carraway relocates next to a lavish mansion owned by a mysterious man named Jay Gatsby. Gatsby is introduced as a wealthy man that throws wild luxurious parties almost every week at his mansion. As Nick immerses into New York’s wealthy social scene he gradually gets to know Gatsby. Nick eventually learns that Gatsby rose from an impoverished family in Minnesota and reinvented himself as a wealthy bootlegger. During the novel it becomes apparent that Gatsby is motivated to become wealthy and throws parties to attract Nick Carraways cousin, Daisy Buchanan. The two met prior to the war and fell in love as Gatsby was a commander in the army. However, after departing for war Daisy moved on and married a rich man named Tom Buchanan. Although Daisy Buchanan is married, Jay Gatsby is determined to win her over. In an attempt to win Daisy over Gatsby reinvents himself as a wealthy socialite by illegally distributing liquor. Even though Gatsby becomes extremely wealthy and throws lavish parties every weekend he is sad and lonely without Daisy. In this novel it becomes apparent that Gatsby cannot live without Daisy.

Although The Great Gatsby displays a romanticized story about a man and women it also reveals the larger picture behind the corruption of the American Dream. The American Dream represents the freedom of bountiful opportunities to achieve economic prosperity and success. The idea that anyone from any social background could potentially become wealthy was immensely attractive to the common man. However, in this novel the author uncovers the truth behind the unfair realities of the American Dream. Fitzgerald portrays the roaring twenties as an era of decayed social and moral values. The desire to obtain wealth and power surpasses moral and noble values. Money and stagnant social values corrupt the American ways in the roaring twenties. Throughout this novel Fitzgerald displays the greed and selfishness behind the ultimate goal of achieving the American Dream. Becoming rich by any means corrupted American society in the roaring twenties.

Looking Backwards is a novel about a man name Julian West who lives in the nineteenth century. Through Julian the reader is shown the unfair wealth distribution in society. After falling into a deep sleep Julian wakes up in the year 2000 to a completely different society. Julian is revived from his deep sleep from Doctor Leete. Through Doctor Leete, Julian learns that societal problems has been resolved by basing the economy on public capital rather than private. As a result the government controls the means of production and has divided the national product equally between all citizens. In comparison to society in the nineteenth century Julian depicts this new world as a utopia.

Unlike other texts we have read this term, Looking Backwards displays a political perspective that critiques societal issues in the nineteenth century. Since the Civil War society has witnessed extreme change. The introduction to industrialization has promoted economic growth in the United States. As a result the United States has become one of the one of the most powerful and wealthy nations in the world. Although some may view this development as progression, Edward Bellamy chastises these “advances” in society. In the authors point of view society in the nineteenth century was unjust. In Looking Backwards Edward Bellamy creates an ideal utopia where everyone is equal. Edward Bellamy presents that the introduction to socialism in the twentieth century was necessary for social harmony. Society in this new utopia was based on the overarching idea of brotherhood. Bellamy claims that in this new utopia people felt proud working together as a community and it was unthinkable that any individual should suffer the evils of poverty or hunger.

The Red Badge of Courage entails the journey of a young Union soldier in the Civil War. In this book the main character Henry Fleming seeks to become a hero during the war. Although Henry is a young inexperienced soldier he wants to prove courageous in the face of his fear. However, as the reader travels with Henry on his journey it becomes apparent that he is initially a coward. For instance, once the Union army first encountered the enemy Henry gets scared and runs for the hills. Afterwards he attempts to justify his decision and claims it was a natural instinct of survival to run away. However, after fleeing the battlefield Henry is immensely filled with guilt. Henry feels that he cannot be a real man without proving his valor on the battlefield.

Masculinity and courage are two intertwined themes that dictate Henry Flemings career in the army. After witnessing the horrors of war Henry eventually changes his mentality and decides to fight back. The combination of guilt and emasculation helped Henry transform himself into the soldier he initially wanted to be. When the battle was over Henry reflects that he has become a man who has survived the horrors of war.

In The Red Badge of Courage Stephen Crane explores the psychological battles during war and shows the reality of war. The novel follows the emotional trajectory of Henry Fleming as he strains to cope with guilt. Crane reveals a realistic look at war with shows the horror, boredom, and injustice of war. This portrayal is so graphic that this book is considered as anti-war.

In Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe the reader is shown the hardships of discrimination and the horrors of slavery. Stowe’s book reveals the bitter life of African-American slaves in the south during the Nineteenth Century. Harriet Beecher Stowe offers a diverse cast of Christian slaves (Tom, Eliza, Harry, George, and Chloe) and slave owners (Haley, Loker, Marks, Marie, and Simone Legree) to depict the reality of southern lifestyle in Early America. The direct theme of Stowe’s book emphasizes that slavery is evil. Stowe clearly depicts that slavery is not only a curse on colored people, but it is a curse on American society.

In this book the reader is shown the extremes of slavery through the character of Uncle Tom. Uncle Tom is my favorite character because he is honest and kind. Uncle Tom is African-American slave that is a strong believer of Christianity and a devout follower. Throughout the book the reader is shown the difficult hardships that Tom faces throughout his life as a slave. Instead of running away to Canada with Eliza, George, and Harry, Tom stays with his master Mr. Shelby out of trust and loyalty. Throughout Tom’s journey the reader sees the different kinds of slave owners: St. Clare and Simon Legree. For a slave owner St Clare was a generous man and showed some form of respect to his slaves. Legree on the other hand was very cruel to his workers and discriminatory. For instance, he asked Tom to whip one of the other slaves. But, as a Christian follower Uncle Tom refuses to punish another slave for not doing anything wrong. As a result Tom was whipped and abused for not obeying Legree’s request.

In Uncle Tom’s Cabin the author highlights the sinful behavior of slavery and questions if slavery can truly coexist with Christianity. Harriet Beecher Stowe does an excellent job narrating a very dark period in American history. Through Uncle Tom the reader is shown the corruption behind slavery. The participation of violence and discrimination towards African-American minorities seems unholy. As a result the author questions how Christianity can coexist with the evils of slavery and concludes that slave owners are one of the worst kinds of Christian sinners.

After the war colleges had expanded their dramatic activities, introducing plays and dialogues to society. Not only are these works different than Rowlandson’s narrative in size, but also style. These works were written in old english dialect that provided informative short stories on different aspects of American society.

In A Dialogue Between an Englishman and an Indian the author, John Smith, acknowledges that Indians weren’t as different as other Europeans had claimed. Not all Indians were cruel savages. In fact, some Indians were educated by Puritan charity schools. In this dialogue the reader is shown the general mistreatment of Indians through a negative interaction between an Englishman and an Indian. Based on common misconceptions the Englishman discriminates against the Indian, calling the minority a ”vile, barbarous race!” (Smith, 7). Unaware of the Indian’s background, the Englishmen is proven wrong with his assumptions. In the Indian’s defense, he shows that the Spaniards also engaged in such acts of cruelty and highlights that the Christian’s temper had impaired his judgment. This dialogue reveals that the Indian was more educated than the Englishmen and that Indians were intelligent too. Generalizations of Indian populations depicted the community to be violent savages, however, in reality Indians and Europeans weren’t so different after all.

In The Candidates the reader is given a glimpse of politics back in the late colonial era in Virginia. At this point in history, the elections were more personal then nowadays. In the play the reader is shown how in the end, the worthiest candidates, Mr. Woud’be and Mr. Worthy, were elected. Instead of lying to gain votes and popularity, Mr. Woud’be was honest with his neighbors. Although at first the towns people weren’t fond of him, they quickly changed their opinions. Woud’be was a just character and rightful for the position. No matter what, he respected everyone equally. He even had mutual respect for his servant Ralpho. For example, in the beginning of the play Mr. Woud’be gave Ralph his old suit because he was “pleased with [Ralpho’s] diligence and fidelity, and [was] ever ready to reward it.”(Smith, 15). In general, elections should bring justice for the American people by electing the best candidate. The best candidate should have all the right characteristics for the job in order to help the people. Although this election was minuscule compared to other elections, it depicted the ideal voting system which brought justice for Virginia.

In Captivity and Restoration Mary Rowlandson writes about her experience as a prisoner under Native Americans. After being pulled away from her life and loved ones Mary faced a lot of challenges under captivity. For majority of the time Mary was freezing cold and starving. At one point Mary desperately ate horse liver and described that “for to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet” (28). Although at some points the Indians were protective and somewhat caring Mary describes the Indians as savages.

During her experience the reader is shown a negative depiction of the Indians. She considers the Indians as inferior, calling them “barbaric enemies” and “pagans.” Indian culture was considered foreign and it didn’t follow the social normality. But, with that being said Mary believes that Indians can be socially accepted in society if they behave the right way and assimilate into their customs. For example, years after captivity Mary sees the same Indian that threatened to take her life while she was a prisoner, just walking down the street in Boston “under the appearance of a friend Indian”(41).

Although the Indians weren’t as advanced as the colonist and practiced paganism, they were still human. Looking back at Mary’s journey the Indians only treated her as a prisoner. Mary’s depiction of the Indians was bias and twisted because she was held captive against her will.