Historical research paper related to the stories to the text to
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The Racial Climate of Time
Introduction
Zora Neale Hurston embraces modernism’s themes of separation and rediscovery of
racial and social identities. Zora writes in a personalized approach that appears from her
perspective and emotions rather than from an outside thought. Racial relations, discrimination,
and social existence are among the themes that Hurston examines. Zora defies the odds and
honors her racial recognition when not deemed advantageous to be black. Zora defies convention
by rejecting the notion that African Americans should be humiliated or grieved by their skin
tone. She encourages other African Americans to embrace their ethnicity and be confident of
who they are. Therefore, Zora was a revolutionary poet who wrote about racism, social and racial
identification, and other African Americans’ social challenges.
On the other hand, the central theme in the poem “Still I Rise” is oppression. Maya
discusses the heritage of oppression, referencing black people’s misery throughout time. She is
fierce in her condemnation of the slave masters, white people. Maya will make her forefathers
proud by rising above their pain and defying oppressors (Abenova 40). Also, Maya discusses the
struggle that arose from tyranny, as well as how she overcame it. She shows a tenacious,
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combative spirit rather than giving up. Her constant repetition of the word, ‘I’ll rise,’
demonstrates her resolve to persevere.
Further, Maya’s persecution ties to a long history of racism. The fact that she refers to
herself as a black ocean is noteworthy since it is an overt allusion to race, implying that the
poem’s binary ties to a racial divide. She denounces racism and promotes a worldwide concept
of eliminating prejudice of any sort, regardless of geographical barriers or skin color. Maya
describes themes like oppression, resilience, and racism during history in her poem (Mercurio
and Walker 91). Therefore, the piece that links the two readings is racism.
Literature Review
Based on historical context, Maya Angelou and Zora Neale Hurston are two well-known
black female authors in modern American literature. These two women discuss their lives in the
South during a time of racial prejudice. They each have their writing style. All include insights
into similar experiences they have had and their influence on black women and girls. Zora Neale
Hurston emphasizes the importance of storytelling in the lives of mothers and daughters.
African-Americans suffered significant racial discrimination when Hurston wrote from personal
and academic, financial, and governmental organizations. Hurston describes an African-
American tendency to lessen or exoticize their racial identities to avoid bias or pressure others to
treat them as people. Thus, instead of running away from her African-American identity, Zora
chooses to go towards it.
Maya Angelou clarifies how her self-esteem helps her conquer any challenge. Maya
reveals that nothing can put her down. Maya Angelou will rise to face any obstacle, and nothing,
not even her dark skin color, will be able to prevent her. As a result, she emphasizes the
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importance of self-esteem and confidence. Even though the United States had abolished slavery
for years, Angelou witnessed its effects on society and black Americans. The poem
acknowledges that she will not let society’s discrimination and hatred decide her
accomplishment for one. The poem declared her commitment to climb above the community.
Also, a call to others to rise beyond the society in which they were raised. Therefore, both Zora
and Maya use literary devices in their writings to make readers understand their urge to promote
peace to humanity and fight racism in America.
Results
There are similarities and differences between the two writings. First, both Maya and
Zora used similes and metaphors. They are used to compare an object or person to something
else to help readers understand what is going on. For instance, Hurston uses similes and
metaphors to explain her racial characteristics and to assist the viewer in understanding how
Hurston is different from her colleagues. Also, Maya uses the rhetorical question of which she
does not expect the answers. They both describe their feelings by bringing depth and clarity to
their writings.
However, Maya and Zora have used different literary devices as well. For example, the
inclusion of an account from Zora’s past in Eatonville lets the reader understand and comprehend
how Zora grew up without obtaining the
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