Comparing Recitatif And Song Of Myself

Recitatif and Song of Myself A common theme in American literature is the concept of identity and sense of self. This theme is explored through many genres by several different authors. Two pieces of American literature which give perspective on this theme are Toni Morrison 's Recitatif and Walt Whitman 's Song of Myself. In Morrison 's writing, one views the ways in which race impacts identity and fosters a common humanity amongst its characters, while in Whitman 's poetry one is able to analyze the ways in which the poet 's American roots and his sense of self form his identity. Through the analysis of these two pieces of literature, one is able to see the ways in which American authors express the theme of identity and sense of self.
In Recitatif, Morrison uses strategic ambiguity to compel readers to contemplate the race of Twyla, Roberta, and Maggie. This contemplation also leads one to evaluate the importance of race in the characters ' identities and in the ways in which they interact.
While reading this short story, one is inclined to use racial stereotyping in order to determine the race of each character— a tactic which proves to be fruitless as the ethnicity of the characters remains a mystery. However, these racial stereotypes say a lot about how people identify themselves as well as members of other races. When Twyla mentions that her mother would not be pleased with the race of her roommate, one is inclined to believe that Roberta is African American. Many cases of racial tension stemmed from a white person disapproving of relations with a black person, which could be inferred to be the reason Twyla 's mother would be upset about her roommate being of a different race. However, later in the piece the races of Twyla and Roberta are again put into question when they run into each other as adults in a grocery store and Twyla discovers that Roberta is leading a glamorous life while she is in a less luxurious situation. When
contemplating Roberta 's lifestyle, Twyla notes, "Everything is so easy for them. They think they own the world." This is an attitude commonly felt towards Caucasians, especially those of European descent, leading one to believe that Roberta must be white and Twyla black for Twyla to have these feelings. However, when both Roberta and Twyla 's children are forced to switched schools, the races of the characters are yet again thrown into a haze. It is typically understood that during school segregations, African American children were forced to travel to different schools, however in Recitatif, children of both races in question were displaced. Maggie 's race also remains ambiguous, as neither Twyla nor Roberta can effectively recall her ethnicity. For Roberta and Twyla, race provides an obstacle in their abilities to identify with one another, as they are unable to invest themselves in their friendship without being distracted by the racial undertones of their relationship formed though stereotypes. The automatic response they have to their differences are based off of race, responses immediately dismissed as being typical of someone of the opposite race. However, in an odd sense, Maggie 's racial ambiguity helps unite Roberta and Twyla. Because Maggie 's race was constantly in question, neither Roberta nor Twyla could identify with her more than the other, thus making Maggie a neutral party. Although Roberta and Twyla find it easier to identify with their races than to identify with each other, one thing they have in common is that neither of them can, let alone want to, identify with Maggie. In fact, they were so repulsed by Maggie that they shared a desire to kick her, like the 'gar girls ' did. Later in life, Maggie again brings them together in that they are both ashamed of their desire to harm Maggie, and their failure to protect her from the girls who did actually kick her. This shame leads to a bond which exceeds their racial barriers. Whitman 's Song of Myself explores a different aspect of identity through his connection with his nationality and his analysis of the aspects which form his identity.
In the sixteenth section of the poem, Whitman identifies several aspects of the 'Great Nation ' which he identifies within himself. He views America as a nation made up of myriad types of people, professions, and landscapes which form the diverse 'American Identity '. He also adopts this 'American Identity ' as his own, recognizing that the various aspects which are found in America the country are also found in its inhabitants. This section of the poem acknowledges that without the influence of the "Kentuckians, Louisianans, Georgians, and Yankees", or the "farmers, mechanics, lawyers, priests, and prisoners," he would not be the same person. However, at the same time he recognizes that his identity does not match that of all Americans, he has aspects which are inherently 'Walt Whitman '. He identifies himself in section twenty-four as "Walt Whitman, a kosmos, of Manhattan the son," an identity which he clarifies to be his and his alone. He also emphasizes the importance of self identity in section forty-six when he informs the reader that, "Not I, not anyone else can travel that road for you, you must travel it for yourself". This statement leads one to infer that he means the road to self understanding, or self concept, for one 's concept of self cannot fully be established by another being. This
concept must be established and perfected by the person his or herself. Though Toni Morrison and Walt Whitman take different approaches to the themes of identity and self concept, they both shed light on a theme common in American literature. While Whitman chooses to approach the theme of identity by exploring the impact of his American roots as well as his own creation of identity, Morrison chooses to focus on the effects of race on identity. An analysis of these two pieces of literature gives readers a sample of the importance of identity in American culture, as well as the ways in which identity is established.

Works Cited
Morrison, Toni. "Recitatif." The Norton Anthology: World Literature. 3rd ed. Vol. F. New York: W. W. Norton and Comany, 2012. 1172-187. Print.
Whitmann, Walt. "Songs of Myself." The Norton Anthology: World Literature. 3rd ed. Vol. E. New York: W. W. Norton and Comany, 2012. 447-65. Print.