Charles W. Chesnutt: Racial Formation Through American Literature

Morgan Almodovar
Mr. Karli
CHS English 101
22 March 2014
Racial Formation through American Literature
In America, the “melting pot” process has been associated with cultural assimilation. In American History, assimilation is the system in which an individual or minority group loses its initial culture when dominated by another culture. With all different ethnic groups in our country, there is no surprise that different individuals view racial and culture identity differently. American writers, exclusively, depict their views of racial pride. While Langston Hughes and Charles W. Chesnutt seek to depict the value in pride of black culture in their literature, Amy Tan writes about the cultural struggles she faces through her mother and
everyday life.
In Langston Hughes’ essay, “The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain”, Hughes expresses his concern of a black poet who is embarrassed of his own identity. The poet tells Hughes he wants to be a poet, not a Negro poet. He is discouraged of his cultural identity and not proud of his racial heritage. In this essay, Hughes realizes that many people of his kind felt this way. They were uncomfortable in their own skin. Hughes voices his concerns about people, specifically black artists, who try to comply with “American Standardization”. American Standardization is defined as the mountain wedged between Negro art and the Negro poet. Like Langston Hughes states:
“But this is the mountain standing in the way of any true Negro art in America--this urge within the race toward whiteness, the desire to pour racial individuality into the mold of American standardization, and to be as little Negro and as much American as possible” (Hughes “The Negro Artist”). Some African Americans believed being white would lead a more relaxed and happy lifestyle. This view on their racial and cultural identities puts a limitation of artistic expression in black culture. Langston Hughes pushed for more pride within one’s identity.
“The Negro Artist and The Racial Mountain” was written years ago and still stands true today. In America, black societies have been brainwashed to believe a particular image is sufficient as an African American. This image goes against what is false to the roots of African Americans. Hughes is persuading people to defend and stand up for black identity and culture. Likewise, to rid the barrier that keeps black people from being proud of who they truly are.
Racial discrimination existed in crude and flagrant forms. During a time where racial conflicts between white and blacks were at its high, Langston Hughes embraces his roots and heritage. Hughes was a man that was true to himself and his culture. He spoke up for his people and claimed that we are all individuals. He wanted his audience, black or white, to respect and love one another instead of trying to change each other.
In Amy Tan’s short story, “Mother Tongue”, Tan discusses the cultural and racial struggles she faces through her mother and everyday life. Her Chinese mother has difficulties communicating the English language, but can understand it perfectly. Throughout this short story, many people look down upon Tan’s mother because of her “broken” English. Because of this, Tan is forced to speak to authority figures for her mother because her English is clearer. In the beginning of “Mother Tongue”, Tan is very embarrassed of her mother and states:
“I know this for a fact, because when I was growing up, my mother 's "limited" English limited my perception of her. I was ashamed of her English. I believed that her English reflected the quality of what she had to say That is, because she expressed them imperfectly her thoughts were imperfect. And I had plenty of empirical evidence to support me: the fact that people in department stores, at banks, and at restaurants did not take her seriously, did not give her good service, pretended not to understand her, or even acted as if they did not hear her” (Tan “Mother Tongue”).
Towards the end of the short story, “Mother Tongue”, Tan expresses her appreciation and admiration for her mother. She didn’t care if her English was “limited” or “watered down” as some would say. Tan learns to appreciate everything her mom has inspired her to be by saying:
“I wanted to capture what language ability tests can never reveal: her intent, her passion, her imagery, the rhythms of her speech and the nature of her thoughts.
Apart from what any critic had to say about my writing, I knew I had succeeded where it counted when my mother finished reading my book and gave me her verdict: "So easy to read." (Tan “Mother Tongue”).

Charles Chesnutt was a mixed-race author, known for his short stories such as, “Wife of His Youth” and “The Passing of Grandison.” Chesnutt explores the difficult issues of culture and racial identity through these two pieces. These changed current views on slavery and new concerns about African-American culture.
In the short story, “Wife of His Youth”, Chesnutt deals strictly with the conception and theme of racial identity. The main character of the story, Mr. Ryder, is depicted as a “mulatto”, a person of mixed blood. During the laws of this time, Mr. Ryder was still considered a colored man. He believes if he can find another person of his kind, a “mulatto”, he will move up on the social
ladder.
Mr. Ryder throws a ball in search of a light colored wife so he can break ties with his black heritage and culture. However, an older black woman, Liza Jane, came to him and was looking for her husband she hasn’t seen for years. Through the short time of talking to her, Mr. Ryder realizes he should “acknowledge” her. He talks to his black friends and they all believe it is more important to embrace his own culture and to be with Liza Jane. He announces proudly to all of the room, “Ladies and gentlemen,” he said, “this is the woman, and I am the man, whose story I have told you. Permit me to introduce to you the wife of my youth” (Hughes, “Wife of His Youth”). Mr. Ryder recognizes the true honor he should have for his own culture and shows it by marrying the older black woman. In this short story, Hughes conveys the importance of racial identity and embracing one’s originality. “The Passing of Grandison” by Charles Chesnutt, makes the connection of race and ethnicity to connect ideas of politics and slavery. Hughes conveys once again, racial and cultural identity through the slave, Grandison. Grandison is offered the opportunity to escape slavery when he makes a trip to the north with his future master. Instead of gaining freedom and having a new life, Grandison stays by the master’s side the whole trip. When he returns, his family is already leaving from feeling the need to embrace their culture and be freed of the white man. In this story, Hughes depicts the hardships of slavery and how black culture and racial identity is crucial to one’s existence, importantly, African-Americans.
All different ethnic groups in our country should all have a sense of pride and respect within each other.
The “melting pot” of America consists of over one hundred different cultures and ethnic groups. With all of these diverse factions of society, there are many different individuals that view racial and cultural identity differently. American writers, entirely, depict their outlook on racial pride. While Langston Hughes and Charles W. Chesnutt seek to depict the value in pride of black culture in their works, Amy Tan seeks to show her cultural struggles she faces through her mother and everyday life.

Works Cited
Chesnutt, Charles. “The Passing of Grandison” The Norton Anthology of American Literature.
Shorter 7th ed. Vol. Ed. Nina Baym. New York: Norton, 2008. 472-483. Print.
Chesnutt, Charles. “Wife of His Youth.” The Norton Anthology of American Literature. Shorter 7th ed. Vol. 2. Ed. Nina Baym. New York: Norton, 2008. 464-472. Print.
Tan, Amy. “Mother Tongue.” The Blair Reader: Exploring issues and ideas. 8th ed. Ed. Laurie G. Kriszner and Stephen R. Mandell. Boston: Pearson, 2014. 134-39. Print
Hughes, Langston. Nelson, Cary, and Batholomew Brinkman, eds. Modern American Poetry.
Department of English, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1999. Web. 23 Mar.
2014.
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