Dominant Use of Criticism Literacy Style in Morrison Work

Although African-Americans have made a significant contribution to the development of American society, significant issues involving this significant population group have gone unaddressed for years. Toni Morrison wrote The Dutchmen Play in response to this situation in order to expose the obvious discrimination of backs. The book “Black Matter” conveys the anger that black people in the United States have felt for a very long time. Despite having settled in the United States for a close to 400 years and having undergone from being Africans to African Americans as the norm of name other races in the U.S., the black race continues to experience many forms of discrimination. To bring out her point clearly, Morrison mainly makes use of criticism to portray both racial and gendered discrimination in the U.S. Her biggest concern is that African Americans contribution to American literature have been ignored and thrown to the periphery. Thus, her works serves as an eye opener of the mischief in the in the manner American literature has been presented.

From the beginning to the end of her works, Morrison has devoted strength and power to advocate for what she considers the blatant discrimination of the African-Americans contribution to the growth of the United States. According to the author, it does not make sense to have many aspects of African culture recognized in the society yet in literature, considerable effort has been made to conceal the same. According to her, the only way African Americans can be liberated from the York of Mistreatment and Discrimination is by actively criticizing any acts classifies people according to racial origin or gender affiliation. Therefore, it can be appreciated that wide application of criticism is symbolically important in the fight for a just society.

Reading Morrison’s work, one notices her strong vilification of belittling the part African American literature has played in shaping the mainstream American literature. According to Morrison, there has been arrogant effort to delineate American literature from the influence of the African culture as much as possible. If no effort is made to criticize such acts, African Americans risk having important aspect of their culture erased from the mainstream culture. To her, continued silence by African Americans risks rendering the black population irrelevant in important literacy aspects.

Morrison high criticism of the dominance of the American literature by the white race, particularly the male gender is echoed through her works. In fact, to make it clear that she doesn’t believe in a society which discriminates part of its population, the author goes a notch high to make it clear literacy discrimination is largely a creation of the male white gender who for long periods of history occupied the top of the pyramid putting them in noble position to dictate how the society conducts its affairs. Because of this, there is great amount of disproportion in the recognition of authors of literacy work in the United States with the white male gender carrying almost all the accolades associated with the American literature with the black woman being the most disadvantaged. This strong position is echoed when she says “American literature has been the preserve of the white male views, genius and power” (Beaulieu 278).

Furthermore, the author is concerned that for long time works of black authors in literacy have been rendered insignificant. Most of them, have had little opportunity to express their imagination as the opportunities for doing so are few. Because of this Morrison, argues that the ”…black presence of is central black presence is central to any understanding of our national literature and should not be allowed to hover at the margin of literary imagination (Beaulieu 279)”. The view implies apparent discrimination prevalent in the mainstream American society which is concealed by the superiority the white race in many aspects of the society.

Apart from significant use of the criticism as a literacy style, there is significant discussion of the theme of racial discrimination which is evident in both works. As one reads through the Dutchmen play, the first thing one comes across is reference of the Black man as (clay) by his race by the White lady, ”Lula”. The terms used by Lula are so strong that Cray could have succumbed were it not for the great courage (Baraka 24). From this it can be noted that racial discrimination in the society is played by both the male and female gender. In most cases as seen from the two texts, the black population is the victim.

To reinforce her point of criticism, Morrison also delves into the issue of unequal opportunities in the society. To her, most senior position especially in the literary world have been acclaimed by the white race. In most instances, black authors have been reduced to play minor role. This is despite the enormous contribution that the blacks have played in of the U.S. literacy.

One thing which can be noted in the Dutchman play is the different view on discrimination. Whereas, we been used to white males being the main perpetrators of racial inequity, here we are introduced to brand new form of discrimination where Lula, the white lady embodies the discrimination that black men often undergo. The fact that Lula managed to racially abuse Cray despite this being a male gendered society shows the extent of racial discrimination the black race undergoes. For instance, Lula has the guts to say, Is Warren Enright, a tall skinny black boy with a phony English accent? (Baraka 29). From this, it can be seen that despite hundreds of years of using English as native language the Black population is not fully accepted as being part of the English society.

Keen observation of Morrison work also shows the immaculate use of imagery. From the start to the end, of her work, there is lot of mistreatment of the black race. Not only is the black race not appreciated for the par they have played in the American literature, they also suffer from fewer opportunities. The agitation of the author for better treatment of her race especially in the literacy world can be interpreted to mean agitation for power by the black race. The use of criticism puts the white race in a defensive mode, it also revokes sense of power by the black race to question what they feel is wrong and should be corrected.

Satire as a literary style has also been used criticize domination of the white race on the U.S. literature. For instance, satirically criticizes the white domination by saying ‘’ championed characteristic of our national literature- individualism, masculinity, social engagement, versus historical isolation (Beaulieu 265).’’ This statement is significant as it evokes feeling to isolation, and discrimination black race in the mainstream U.S. society despite their various contributions. It is also satirical that Cray is unable to defend his rights or at least demand for respect from Lula, the white lady given that this is a male dominated society. For instance, Cray does nothing when Lula describes him as a child trying to grow beard yet he is a grown. This line is significant as not only does it show the extent of discrimination in this society, it also indicated the lack of self-confidence by the black race, perhaps due to years or mistreatment.

Therefore, it can be summed that the use of criticism as literacy style by Morrison is appropriate given the circumstance that she and member of her black race have been undergoing. The style underscores the need to have a second thought especially on the lie that American literature has developed independently without the contribution of the African culture. Through such criticism, Morrison aspires to make the society come into the terms of the state of discrimination in the American society which can only dealt away with if African Americans literacy contribution to the American literature is appreciated and the black authors are accepted as being part and parcel of the American Dream. One notable thing that can be appreciated in the two works is the apparent tolerance of the black race. Though undergoing lots of discrimination as shown by what Cray underwent in the hands of Lula the white woman, he managed to stay cool

Works Cited

Baraka, Amiri. Dutchman. Alexandria, VA: Alexander Street Press, 2003. Internet resource.

Beaulieu, Elizabeth A. The Toni Morrison Encyclopedia. Westport, Conn: Greenwood Press, 2003. Print.