Numerous people's lives are affected by the crushing grasp and ruthless force of oppression, which binds and deprives them of their basic freedoms and rights. Jael Richardson, the acclaimed author behind the celebrated novel "Gutter Child," delves into the depths of oppression within the pages of her known work. Richard expertly captures the struggles that Elimina and other characters face on a daily basis through the moving story of Elimina and various other characters in the book. Elimina's mother passed away, leaving her to live in the gutters and fight for her freedom. However, they face numerous difficult obstacles on the way to freedom. Intricacies of an oppressive system are explored in depth in Richardson's book, where seemingly impossible …show more content…
This brave move made by Josephine serves as a striking picture of the difficult decisions individuals who are caught in the grips of oppression and discrimination must make. The quote, "..Then do that, have those dogs tear through every building until she's found" (118) from Jael Richardson's book "Gutter Child" effectively expresses the spirit of this oppressive environment. Mr. Gregors,the head of Livingstone Academy, orders his guards to look for Josephine while using the terrifying dogs as a frightening symbol to anybody who dared to break the school's strict rules. When Mr. Gregors says, "I want all these kids to see these dogs, so they know what's coming if they decide to follow Josephine's lead" (119), he further emphasizes the oppressive state of mind. This argument just adds to the sense of hopelessness and despair that surrounds the lives of the kids who are confined to the academy. The characters in "Gutter Child" personify the damaging effects of oppression on freedom and human dignity since they are constrained by impossible obligations and subjected to society's strict categorizations. Richardson skillfully reveals the systematic and marginalizing aspect of oppression through Josephine's struggle and the strange presence of the dogs, providing as a moving reminder of the stubbornness and …show more content…
This heartbreaking story is simply another powerful illustration of the oppression that these individuals faced on a daily basis. Tilly's suffering reaches its peak when, after nine laborious months of bearing the child, she is unable to retain her darling child since she is trapped at a different academy because of her pregnancy. "Where's my baby? I want my baby," she cries out desperately (226), her words echoing as guards forcibly lead her away. As Tilly's severe anguish is exacerbated by the rapid separation from her infant kid and the uncertainty of whether they will ever be reunited, the degree of oppression suffered by the gutter children becomes brutally apparent. Elimina and her friends, who are plagued by their own knowledge of the cruel system, take comfort in their collective pain as Tilly is torn apart. "We huddle close, weeping for Tilly and her baby, weeping for each other," (227). Elimina realizes the oppressive cycle at this painful point, realizing that it will be hard for her to have to separate from her kid when the time comes for her to give birth. Elimina and her friends are motivated to fight against oppressive forces by a mother's undying love, yet in spite of their efforts, they continue to be imprisoned by injustice. Each incident, from Josephine's daring escape to Tilly's
Social injustice is when actions are taken that disregard a group of individuals rights, take away their opportunities or treat them unfairly. Social injustice stands in the way of growth and development, and even delays improvement in life. In Colson Whitehead’s novel “The Nickel Boys”, Elwood Curtis and the boys at Nickel Academy are seen dealing with social injustice in the 1960’s America. Elwood faces a form of social injustice in multiple ways having to deal with discrimination, physical and emotional abuse, and limited opportunities. Through internal dialogue Elwood and the boys at Nickel have their own way of dealing with the way they’re discriminated against.
Besides the previously mentioned depressing imagery, a notable point she makes is an interesting connection between women and children’s rights. This is seen when Kelley states that, “If the mothers and the teachers in Georgia could vote, would the Georgia Legislature have refused at every session for the last three years to stop the work in the mills of children under twelve years of age?” This statement notes the lack of political power and representation that certain groups of people, primarily women in this context, had at the time. By drawing attention to the fact that women did not have the right to vote, she sought to emphasize the inequality and injustice in the legislative decision-making process. Kelley implied that if these marginalized groups, who were directly affected by child labor and its consequences, had the right to participate in the democratic process, they would have advocated for laws to protect children from the harsh conditions of factory work.
Thesis In the face of racism, oppression and inequality the characters in the new Gutter Child develop adaptability, strength, and an understanding of their identity. 3 First. The new demonstrates that in the face of racism, oppression and inequality adaptability is developed. Elimina shows
the author was beaten while ill and didn’t want to go to mass, a required function 7. her classroom was beside the principals office and she could here the boys being beaten racism breeds racism in reverse. 8. the girls were fed a very poor diet while the nuns ate good food, and the sleeping quarters were not warmed during the winter
The novel highlights the devastating impact of racial segregation on individuals and society, as Roxy and Chambers are forced to live as slaves despite their proximity to whiteness. The novel also highlights the complexity of identity and the ways in which societal norms shape an individual's sense of self. The exposure of Tom's true identity as a slave at the end of the story highlights the absurdity and injustice of the racial hierarchy of the time. Tom has been raised as a white person and has enjoyed all the privileges that come with that status, but the truth of his racial identity ultimately exposes him as a slave and a murderer. The exposure of Tom's true identity also underscores the devastating impact of racial segregation and discrimination on individuals and society.
Way too often, people in control abuse their force. It is human nature to always want more of what is already there, but for selfish people this issue could turn into a massive issue. Gary Paulsen’s dreadful novel, Nightjohn, goes along with the story of slaves on a plantation who are abused by their master in power. This all changes when a man named John comes to teach a young slave how to read and write. Similarly, another piece of writing that connects to Nightjohn is a piece called “The Monster of Monticello,” by Paul Finkelman, describes the truth of Thomas Jefferson.
The previous quote shows that the tenement buildings that was popular housing for the lower class would become so unbearably hot that people would have to resort to sleeping in the most dangerous of places to find cooling relief from the poorly constructed structure. This journalist was trying to promote reform of the building codes for the tenement structures to create better living conditions for the lower class citizens. Another journalist described the unsettling conditions that children would have to work in that caused pain and suffering even to an adult. In John Sprago’s “The Bitter Cry of the Children” he gives his
Kelley compares contrasting words as she notes, “Now, therefore, in New Jersey, boys and girls, after their 14th birthday, enjoy the pitiful privilege of working all night long” (6). Kelley is able to create a sense of compassion for the children throughout her audience by using contradicting words such as pitiful and privilege to make the men and women at the convention ponder about the morbid reality of young children working in harsh conditions. Kelley uses the word “privilege” as almost ironic contrast to the pitiful situation convincing the suffragists at the convention to take action against intensive working conditions. Hence, Kelley is able to convince the men and women at the convention to advocate for women’s suffrage through putting conflicting words together to sway the audience to support her cause for voting rights for women. Kelley continues to remind the audience that in order to take the burden of a pitiful privilege off of children, they first need to gain voting rights to make their stances
For example, she states, “They carry bundles of garments from the factories to the tenements… they may work for us”. In telling this impactful comparison of beasts of burden to children, Kelley creates a sense of
The novel offers visibility to an ethnic group that is underrepresented by narrating the tale from an African American teenager's perspective that the dominant media frequently ignores and silences. Therefore, by giving the minority groups a platform to share their experiences. , literature may support the empowerment of oppressed populations and the advancement of an equitable society. It can also be used to spread knowledge and awareness, enlighten readers about the struggles of others and encourage feelings of empathy and
Oppression is pervasive that has shaped history, society, and individual lives in profound ways. Jael Richardson’s “Gutter Child” is a dystopian novel. The novel Gutter Child is about various people who live in a society that is filled with injustice and oppression and is displayed throughout the entire book through the difficulties faced by people referred to as gutter people. Jael Richardson's “Gutter Child” displaces the topic of oppression leading characters to make impossible decisions due to the situations they are left in. This is shown through the character of Tilly who has to make decisions for the sake of her child and Violet who committed suicide left with no other decision due to her situation.
The speaker is uneducated, so the writing in the first person is readable for beginners as well as educated adults. Walker addresses the audience specifically to to create deeper imagery, where the audience can add their own experiences to the story, such as “You’ve no doubt seen those TV shows” (46). The speaker directly addresses the audience, and so anyone reading the story, whether a minority, or the majority, will be connected to the story. Purpose: Walker describes the impact of oppression on the relationship between mother and daughter, and how the oppressed view themselves.
This section of the book is when Riri dies because of Lincoln, I realized that her death is entirely pointless because neither the Indigenous or the enemy were able to use her genetics for being able to dream or to pass on cultural knowledge to her. This situation mirrors the events surrounding the residential schools, many children suffered and died because of the hate people had for no valid reason. This section also shows how traumatizing and dangerous life can be for Riri and the group as a whole, Frenchie says “...her throat grasped under his thick arm, legs kicking the air… ‘just put her down.’ Miig tried to keep his voice steady. ‘Please, just put the girl on the ground so she can breathe.”
” Everybody in Janie's community knew that Janie's dad was a white rapist and her mother the product of a white slave owner and a black slave woman, and how Janie's birth was a result of race victimization. Since everyone would talk about her background Janie had to learn to handle this inheritance and others’ condescension with strength, grace and
The poor kids got shoved to the back of the class and had to share desks, the teacher never called on them, and they were not allowed to go to the bathroom during class. Also, since the parents worked all the time, the children got little adult supervision. Kids had to grow up fast and had to take care of themselves, most dropped out of school to work. When Francie had no food, her mom made her and her brother play a game pretending they were in the North Pole to get their mind off of eating. Poor families faced real and difficult problems, but Francie’s family was able to make it out of their