In the African American literary tradition, there are various forms of texts. After close analysis of different genres it is apparent that there is a clear tradition that connects each character and plot line. These traditions have to do with Self-discovery, self-love, self-Growth and, Adversity. Even though each piece of text we looked at involved a different kind of experience for the individual each one connected in that they all shared these traditions. Self-discovery, and growth appears especially in the novels Maud Martha and If He Hollers Let Him Go. In the Book, Maud Martha written by Gwendolyn Brooks the main character Maud Martha self discovery was about gaining confidence as well as an insight into her own individual self worth. …show more content…
Maud Martha sees a scared mouse, an animalistic representation of herself, and is faced with the decision of life or death for the mouse. Maud Martha decides to let the mouse go. Gwendolyn Brooks states, “ Maud Martha could not bear the little look .Go home to your children, she urged. To your wife or husband. She opened the trap. The mouse vanished”(70). Maud Martha is depicted as a caring person, but even more the mouse is a representation of herself. Maud Martha staring into the mouse symbolizes that Maud is facing herself and her fears, and chooses to spare the mouse, which means Maud Martha is not giving up on herself. After Maud Martha spares the mouse she feels a sense of accomplishment she has turned over a new leaf. Gwendolyn Brooks states, “suddenly, she was conscious of a new cleanness in her”(70). Brooks goes on to mention, “She ironed her aprons. Her back was straight. Her eyes were mild, and soft with a godlike loving-kindness” (71). The reader sees here that Maud Martha is proud of herself, and stands tall with a sense of self-worth that she has been struggling to find. Maud has grown in confidence, and is beginning to grow in …show more content…
Bob is confused about how to be a man when society is constantly holding him back because of his race. For instance, Bob gets downgraded at his job one day because he asked a subordinate employee who was white to do a job. Chester Himes states, “it’s just a short job,’ I said. Ill carry your line for you. She came out of her phoney act and jerked her line out of my hand, I ain’t gonna work with no nigger! She said in a harsh, flat voice. I didn’t even think about it. I just said it right out of my stomach. Screw you then, you cracker bitch!”(27). Bob is scalded with racism and disrespect even though he has a superior job title. After this incident Bob gets in trouble with his boss for cursing at the white women. Chester Himes states, “I’d known Mac was going to give me hell; but I didn’t think he’d downgrade me and put a white boy in my place”(30). This exemplifies how Bob is held back when trying to succeed, and even causes Bob to question the incident. Chester Himes States, “outside, I stood for a time, feeling cheated, trapped. I couldn’t decide whether I’d been a coward or a fool”(30). Bob struggles with how he was treated by his boss, and is confused about how he should have handled the situation. Being a man is about having power and control in one’s life, and in this particular situation Bob had no control, and feels