Society & Identity Formation
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Society is a human-made phenomenon. However, for most societies throughout most eras, the norms, values and standards reinforced by societies have been those of the dominant social class, i.e. typically a white, wealthy male status-quo. Through social institutions such as government, school, church and the economy, these norms, values and standards are transmitted from one generation to the next. However, these norms, values and standards typically disenfranchise non-dominant groups in society such as women and minorities. Many black and female writers have written novels, essays and other types of works that are devoted to the theme of forming an identity and positive self-image in the midst of a dominant culture whose norms and values often impede this development. This analysis will discuss this issue using the writings of Nella Larsen, W. E. B. Du Bois, and Booker T. Washington in order to demonstrate how these individuals dealt with this challenge.In Nella Larson’s Quicksand, we see that the conditions described above often create a psychic dualism in non-dominant classes in society. Forming an identity when one is black and/or female in a primarily white value-norm structure creates a psychological schism that must be overcome in order for the individual to re-establish their own identity and voice in an often hostile and racist environment. Yet, despite her belief in unity as a means of community and solidarity of he
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to be seen as vile. We see this in her attitude toward having children, and we see it when James kisses her. Instead of going with her feelings and heart, sexuality represents something negative to her because white people portray black sexuality as a negative and Helga has internalized these feelings “He stooped and kidded her, a long kiss, holding her close. She fought against him with all her might. Then, strangely, all power seemed to ebb away, and a long-hidden, half-understood desire welled up in her with the suddenness of a dream. Helga Crane’s own arms went up about the man’s neck. When she drew away, consciously confused and embarrassed, everything seemed to have changed in a space of time which she knew to have been only seconds. Sudden anger seized her” (Larsen 104). Thus, something that should be natural and beautiful to Helga has become a source of confusion, embarrassment and anger.
Booker T. Washington and W. E. B. Du Bois had distinct ideas on how best blacks could overcome the challenges of identity formation in the midst of a white, socioeconomic and politically exclusionary environment. However, they were at opposite ends of the spectrum in their ideologies on how to do so. Booker T. Washington advoca
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Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1511
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page)
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