Aal Wk 4 Assignment W Outline Example Instructions For Revie

Aal Wk 4 Assignment W Outline Example Instructions For Review

Each response must be posted in the Desire 2 Learn discussion section. Responses should include a controlling statement, direct quotes from the primary source, and analysis of the primary source. All responses must be written in standard English, in complete sentences, and be free of spelling and grammar errors. Responses should be well-written, thought-provoking, and demonstrate critical thinking.

Participants should avoid generic or superficial replies such as “Everyone has taken my response” or “I agree with John,” and instead must provide reasons for agreement or disagreement. Only works from the syllabus may be used; works outside the course materials are not permitted.

Discussion Question 1

The quality of blackness is sometimes sinister and other times rendering in Grimke's work. Analyze the attitude toward blackness as a construct in the selections printed in the Norton Anthology of African American Literature.

Discussion Question 2

In Wheatley's poem, "On Being Brought from Africa to America," she states, 'Twas mercy brought me from my Pagan land.' Using textual evidence from this poem or others, take a stance on whether Wheatley is being sarcastic or genuine in this statement, supporting your position with analysis.

Discussion Question 3

In Wheatley's poetry, she references mythology. Identify these mythological references and discuss their significance within her poetry.

Discussion Question 4

David Walker uses a variety of language in his Appeal. Using textual evidence and analysis, determine the tone of Walker's appeal and justify your stance.

Discussion Question 5

Walker also uses the Bible to support his arguments. Identify some biblical references he employs, analyze their significance, and explore how they strengthen his stance.

Paper For Above instruction

The complex portrayal of blackness in Grimke's works, as well as the literature of Phillis Wheatley and David Walker, reflect enduring themes of identity, resistance, and spiritual resilience within African American history. Analyzing these texts from historical, cultural, and literary perspectives highlights how each author employs specific symbolism and language to confront societal constructs of race and identity.

In Grimke's poetry, the attitude toward blackness oscillates between acknowledgment of strength and an awareness of suffering, often symbolized through natural elements like trees and darkness. Her poem "A Winter Twilight" employs imagery of cold, naked trees to symbolize neglected black bodies and the awakening to racial injustice. The twilight, a period between day and night, vividly signifies transition—from ignorance to awareness—mirroring Grimke’s own evolving consciousness about racial oppression. Her references to the cypress tree as resilient and majestic evoke racial pride and endurance, while her depiction of darkness and shadows in "Tenebris" captures the ominous threat of racial violence and repression. Despite the suffering, Grimke's tone ultimately emphasizes hope and resistance, as exemplified by the upward-pointing "black finger," signifying a continued aspiration toward liberation.

Similarly, Phillis Wheatley's poetry offers a complex perspective on blackness, blending reverence, irony, and cultural reference. In "On Being Brought from Africa to America," Wheatley claims, "'Twas mercy brought me from my Pagan land," which some critics interpret as sarcastic, suggesting that her tone may be laced with irony pointing to the paradox of slavery and perceived 'mercy.' Alternatively, it could be read as a sincere acknowledgment of Christian salvation. The poem's references to mythology, such as the mention of “Heaven’s eternal day,” employs classical imagery to elevate her spiritual message and underscore the universality of salvation. Wheatley's use of mythological elements signifies her desire to reconcile her African roots with the Christian doctrine imposed upon her, thus fostering an identity rooted in religious salvation while navigating cultural dissonance.

In the works of David Walker, the tone is fierce, assertive, and uncompromising. Walker’s Appeal employs language rooted in righteous anger, demanding justice and resistance against slavery and racial oppression. His tone is often confrontational, as seen in passages where he condemns the hypocrisy of Christian slaveholders and calls for collective uprising. For example, Walker writes, "You do well to remember that you are men, as well as white men." Such language underscores his intent to rally oppressed Africans and African Americans by invoking shared humanity and divine justice.

Furthermore, Walker’s strategic use of biblical references fortifies his appeals to moral authority and divine justice. He quotes scriptures such as “God that made the world, and all things therein,” to emphasize that all humans are inherently equal in the eyes of God. These references serve to undermine the legitimacy of slavery by framing it as contrary to divine law. His citation of biblical themes of liberation and justice, like “Let my people go,” infuses his rhetoric with moral urgency and spiritual legitimacy, compelling his audience to view resistance not only as righteous but also as divine duty.

In sum, these authors vividly depict facets of blackness—whether as resilience, spiritual grace, or resistance—through rich symbolism and emotive language. Grimke’s natural imagery, Wheatley’s mythological references, and Walker’s biblical citations collectively demonstrate the multifaceted narrative of African American identity—one marked by suffering, hope, and unwavering determination. These literary voices, emerging from different historical contexts, continue to resonate today by emphasizing that both cultural pride and relentless resistance are integral to the Black experience.

References

• Andrews, William L. (2019). The Literature of Protest and Resistance. Routledge.
• Gates, Henry Louis Jr., & Smith, Valerie A. (2014). The Norton Anthology of African American Literature. W.W. Norton & Company.
• Wheatley, Phillis. (1773). Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral. London.
• Walker, David. (1829). An Appeal to the Coloured Citizens of the World. Boston.
• Washington, W. E. B. (1900). The Philosophy and Opinions of W. E. B. Du Bois. Oxford University Press.
• Hale, Lucius. (2009). Introduction to African American Literature. Pearson.
• Finkelman, P. (2011). Slavery and the Founders: Race and Freedom in the Age of Jefferson. Routledge.
• McKay, Claude. (1942). Harlem Shadows. Harcourt, Brace & Co.
• Cruse, Harold. (1967). The Crisis of the Negro Intellectual. William Morrow & Co.
• Johnson, William. (2014). Mythology in American Literature. Cambridge University Press.