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Ma Rainey's Black Bottom Compare And Contrast

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Keeshara Harris Professor Gordon Black Drama March 29, 2024 Ma Rainey’s black bottom In August Wilson’s play, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, music is integral. Music influences the character's moods, motivations, autonomy, and self-worth. As a result, the characters use and interact with music in numerous ways. Among the characters, Levee and Ma Rainey stand out for their extensive discussions and interactions with music. Levee is an aspiring musician and trumpeter playing for Ma’s band. Ma Rainey is a very popular blues singer. Their contrasting approaches to music serve to highlight the distinctions between their characters. Levee and Ma have different approaches to music that we see in the play. They have different styles of clothing. Levee music …show more content…

Very superficial and made to appeal to a wide audience. He’s very pretentious about his art, too. I ain’t like you, Cutler. I got the talent! Me and this horn. it’s tight. If my daddy knew I was gonna turn out like this, he would’ve named me Gabriel. I’m gonna get me a band and make some records. I did give Mr. Sturdyvant some of my songs I wrote and he said he’s gonna let me record them when I get my band together (Wilson 26). He constantly uses the fact that his music was acknowledged by Sturdyvant to belittle the other members of the band. He’s always trying to prove something with this music and take over. He barely has any emotional connection to music, he just sees it as something he can use to reach his goals. Ma is more of a traditional blues singer than Levee. Ma’s approach to music is rooted in authenticity and defiance. Ma music has a more emotional connection to music, especially the blues. Ma’s music has a purpose, and she will not conform or change her sound because of the audience or money. She knows why she sings. The blues help you get out of bed in the morning. You get up knowing you ain’t

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