The novel The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Malcolm X and Alex Haley is centered on Malcolm X’s life, it talks of his early life, what happened to his parents, his life after completing 8th grade with his half-sister Ella. It also talks of his teenage years, how he was partaking in illicit activities, and his life in Harlem. How he goes to prison, and what he experiences there. Finally, his life as an Islamic preacher and his trip to the Middle East and Africa.
There are a few characters I decided deserved a spotlight. First, there is Malcolm X (Malcolm Little, Detroit Red, El Hajj Malik El-Shabazz), he is the narrator of the novel as well as the subject. When he was younger he was popular and clever, but he felt that he didn’t fit in with white people. After school he becomes a hustler in Boston and New York, and he ends up in prison, after prison he
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Elijah Muhammad is a leader within the nation of Islam, Malcolm treats him like a father until he becomes defensive and jealous when Malcolm rises to power. Sister Betty is Malcolm’s wife she acts as Malcolm’s assistant, she gave birth to five of his kids and watched his assassination. Shorty is Malcolm’s best Boston friend who followed him into a life of crime, while Malcolm becomes a hustler, Shorty has a normal life and is surprised when Malcolm returns. Ella is Malcolm’s half-sister who serves as a role-model in Malcolm’s adolescents, she always supports Malcolm by giving him money and welcoming him into her house. Earl is Malcolm’s father who is a preacher and politician from Georgia, he is assassinated for teaching Black Nationalist ideals. Louise is Malcolm’s mother who suffers through the Great Depression, she is put into a mental hospital by whites and is visited frequently by Malcolm. Sophia is Malcolm’s white girlfriend, they don’t love each other but use each other for status within their community. Laura was Malcolm’s first date who was a quiet black girl until Malcolm dumped her, she then