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Prejudice And Racism In 'The Sky Is Gray'

1297 Words6 Pages

In his short tale "The Sky is Gray", Ernest J. Gaines examines the hardships faced by a struggling Black family in rural Louisiana during the early 1940s. The story captures the brutal realities of poverty, racism, and the need and struggle for survival in the face of tremendous racial adversity through the eyes of its young protagonist. One of the most striking features of "The Sky is Gray" is its bildungsroman style, which emphasizes the influence of external forces such as environment and social conditions on the acceleration of growth in young Black lives. This essay will explore the bildungsroman aspect of the work by analyzing how Gaines uses literary techniques such as dialect, vivid imagery, and character development to convey the story's …show more content…

James and his mother are routinely denied access to resources and opportunities due to their race, a reality that shapes their experiences and prospects. When they finally make it to the dentist office, they find themselves in the middle of a conversation between a young man and a preacher. The conversation between the two serves as a powerful illustration of the impact of racism on James' growth and development. The young man and the preacher represent two very different approaches to the issue of racism. The young man is filled with anger and resentment against the injustices of the world and the white people who perpetuate them. The preacher, on the other hand, takes a more measured approach, advocating for a kind of quiet resistance and steadfast faith in the face of adversity. For James, this conversation serves as a turning point in his understanding of racism and its impact on his life. Initially, he is drawn to the young man's passionate rhetoric, feels a sense of kinship, and even claims to want to be like him when he gets older. “When I grow up, I want be just like him. I want clothes like that and I want keep a book with me, too.”(Section 8) The conversation between the young man and the preacher serves as a powerful illustration of the impact of racism on James' growth and development. Through this conversation, James learns important lessons about the complexity of racism and the importance of resilience and faith in the face of adversity. James begins to make his own decisions and attitudes towards racism and looks at himself as more of an individual. Although readers don’t get the chance to hear his exact thoughts, it is clear that the conversation sparked something inside of him. This moment marks another turning point in his bildungsroman journey, as he begins to embrace a more nuanced and complex understanding of the

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