“Home” and “Poor Little Black Fellow” by Langston Hughes are connected thematically
Please write two paragraphs on the ways that the short stories “Home” and “Poor Little Black Fellow” by Langston Hughes are connected thematically. In other words, what theme or themes do you think connect both stories?
Home and Poor Little Black Fellow by Langston Hughes are connected thematically
Please write two paragraphs on the ways that the short stories “Home” and “Poor Little Black Fellow” by Langston Hughes are connected thematically. In other words, what theme or themes do you think connect both stories?
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Poor Little Black Fellow Analysis
In the short story “Poor Little Black Fellow” by Langston Hughes, we follow the life of Arnold or Arnie Lee, who has been raised in a less than conventional manner, by the Pembertons, a well-to-do white family. In the title “Poor Little Black Fellow” lies a key to a motif that presents itself throughout the story.
To expand, we see that there is a false sense of righteousness that permeates throughout the Pemberton family and the white town in which Arnie is raised, this sense being solidified as false through their unrelenting use of the phrase “poor little black fellow.”
This phrase, gives implications that because a “fellow” is black it adds to his misfortune. More so, one who fits that description should be shown pity, which leads to patronization. This phrase, captures the essence of the story. Showing that while the Pembertons have pampered. Also, supported Arnie through monetary measures. They have always thought of him as a lesser being and exploited him for a self-fulfilling sense of goodness.
We see from the beginning how Arnold is perceived by the Pemberton family.
When the Pemberton’s first decide to raise Arnold, Grace Pemberton says the following phrase “poor little black fellow…
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