The Representation of Violence. A Comparison between Frederick Douglass` Slave Narrative and Richard Wright’s Autobiography “Black Boy”

Table of Contents

• 1. Introduction
• 2. Violence - Definitions
• 2.1 Physical Violence
• 2.2 Physical Violence in the Era of Slavery and Jim Crow
• 2.3 Structural Violence
• 2.4 Structural Violence in the Era of Slavery and Jim Crow
• 2.5 Power and Dominance - Symbolic Violence
• 3. The Representation of Violence in Douglass` Narrative
• 3.1 The Impact of (Sub-) Genre on the Representation of Physical Violence in Slave Narratives
• 3.2 Physical Violence in Douglass` Narrative
• 3.3 Symbolic Violence in Douglass' Narrative
• 3.4 Structural Violence in Douglass` Narrative
• 4. The Representation of Violence in Richard Wright's Autobiography Black Boy
• 4.1 Black Boy - An Afro-American Autobiography and Its Intricacy of Depicting Violence
• 4.2 Structural Violence in Black Boy
• 4.3 Physical Violence in Black Boy
• 4.4 Symbolic Violence in Black Boy
• 5. The Representation of Violence - A Comparison between Douglass` Narrative and Wright's Black Boy

Objectives and Key Themes

This thesis aims to illuminate how violence is represented in Frederick Douglass's *Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave* and Richard Wright's *Black Boy*, focusing on the different forms of violence experienced by African Americans. The analysis will consider how genre influences the depiction of violence and compare the ideological goals of the authors as reflected in their respective representations. * Different forms of violence (physical, structural, symbolic) experienced by African Americans. * The role of genre in shaping the representation of violence in Afro-American autobiographies. * Comparison of the representation of violence in Douglass and Wright's autobiographies. * The authors' ideological goals and their influence on their depiction of violence. * The historical context of slavery and Jim Crow and its impact on the representation of violence.

Chapter Summaries

1. Introduction: This chapter introduces the concept of violence, exploring its various forms—physical, structural, and symbolic—and their relevance within the historical context of American slavery and Jim Crow. It establishes the significance of Afro-American autobiographies as a means of documenting the experiences of Black individuals, highlighting the chosen texts, *Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave*, and *Black Boy* by Richard Wright, as prime examples for analyzing representations of violence across different historical periods. The chapter lays the groundwork for the subsequent analyses, defining the scope of the thesis and outlining the methodology. 2. Violence - Definitions: This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the different types of violence, specifically focusing on physical, structural, and symbolic violence. It delves into the historical context of these forms of violence within the American experience, particularly concerning the oppression of African Americans during slavery and the Jim Crow era. The chapter lays the theoretical foundation for understanding how these forms of violence manifest in the chosen autobiographies. It establishes a framework for analyzing how physical violence, like beatings and whippings, differs from the insidious nature of structural violence, such as systemic oppression, and the subtle yet powerful effects of symbolic violence, like racist stereotypes and degradation. Each type of violence is analyzed for its impact on the lives of Black individuals. 3. The Representation of Violence in Douglass` Narrative: This chapter analyzes the representation of violence in Frederick Douglass's *Narrative*. It examines how the genre of slave narrative influences the depiction of physical violence, exploring the specific ways Douglass portrays the brutality of slavery and its impact on individuals. The analysis will delve into the symbolic violence embedded within the system of slavery, such as the denial of humanity and the constant threat of dehumanization. Furthermore, this section will explore the structural violence of the institution of slavery, emphasizing its pervasive influence on the lives of enslaved people. The chapter concludes by synthesizing the various forms of violence presented in Douglass’s narrative, highlighting their interconnections and overall effect on the narrative’s portrayal of the enslaved experience. 4. The Representation of Violence in Richard Wright's Autobiography Black Boy: This chapter focuses on Richard Wright's *Black Boy*, exploring how violence is represented in this Afro-American autobiography. The chapter delves into the multifaceted nature of violence depicted in the text, encompassing physical violence experienced by Wright, and examines the more subtle forms of structural and symbolic violence that permeate the societal landscape of the Jim Crow South. The chapter will also discuss the way in which Wright uses his narrative to illustrate the complex interplay between personal experiences and broader social and political forces. A central part of the analysis will focus on how Wright’s experiences with violence shaped his understanding of his identity and his relationship with society. The narrative’s portrayal of violence will be analyzed to show how it reflects the oppressive realities of racial segregation and discrimination.

Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Violence in Douglass' Narrative and Wright's Black Boy

What is the main topic of this thesis?

This thesis analyzes the representation of violence in Frederick Douglass's Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave and Richard Wright's Black Boy. It examines different forms of violence (physical, structural, symbolic) experienced by African Americans and how genre influences their depiction.

What types of violence are discussed?

The thesis explores physical violence (beatings, whippings), structural violence (systemic oppression), and symbolic violence (racist stereotypes, dehumanization). It examines how these forms of violence manifested during slavery and the Jim Crow era.

What is the significance of genre in this analysis?

The analysis considers how the genre of slave narrative (in Douglass's case) and autobiography (in Wright's case) shapes the representation of violence. It explores how the authors' choices in narrative style and focus influence the reader's understanding of the violence described.

How does the thesis compare Douglass's and Wright's works?

The thesis compares the representations of violence in both autobiographies, highlighting similarities and differences in how each author depicts physical, structural, and symbolic violence. It considers the authors' ideological goals and how these goals are reflected in their respective depictions of violence.

What is the historical context of the analysis?

The analysis is grounded in the historical context of slavery and the Jim Crow era in the United States. It examines how the historical circumstances shaped the experiences of violence depicted in both narratives.

What are the key chapters and their content?

The thesis is structured as follows: Chapter 1 introduces the concept of violence and the chosen texts; Chapter 2 defines different types of violence; Chapter 3 analyzes violence in Douglass's Narrative; Chapter 4 analyzes violence in Wright's Black Boy; and Chapter 5 compares the representations of violence in both works.

What are the overall objectives of the thesis?

The thesis aims to illuminate how violence is represented in the chosen texts, focusing on the different forms of violence experienced by African Americans. It aims to analyze the role of genre, compare the authors' ideological goals, and consider the historical context of slavery and Jim Crow.

What are the key themes explored in the thesis?

Key themes include different forms of violence, the role of genre, a comparison of the representation of violence in Douglass and Wright's autobiographies, the authors' ideological goals, and the historical context of slavery and Jim Crow and its impact on the representation of violence.