Charles Chesnutt example essay topic

Tiffany Ramirez English 1302 Mrs. Jan dura February 12, 2002 The Mystery Of a Loved One Charles Waddell Chesnutt was one of the greatest African American short-story writer and novelist during the late 19th century. "His works describe the complex social relations created in the United States by slavery" (Chesnutt). Charles Chesnutt was the first African American writer to receive a widespread of attention during his lifetime. Chesnutt lived in Cleveland, Ohio; however was raised in Fayetteville, North Carolina. In the late 1870's Chesnutt became a teacher in Fayetteville at the State Colored Normal School, passed his bar examination and then established a legal stenography firm. In this firm, Chesnutt began writing some of his most prestigious works.

He published his first short story at the age of twenty-nine in The Atlantic. At this time, The Atlantic was one of the best magazines in the country. His first best-known book was published in 1899, The Conjure of Woman, which retells of the Seven African slave folk tales from the Cape Fear region. The Wife of His Youth and Other Stories of the Color Line, also published in 1899, dealt with problems confronting those of mixed race. Throughout these years of writing and publishing, Chesnutt continued to operate his successful firm business and participated in many programs dedicated to social justice. Chesnutt was recognized as a pioneer in treating racial themes, and awarded the Spin garn Medal for his work as a literary artist and free-man depicting the life and struggles of Americans of Negro descent.

Charles Chusnutt's The Wife of His Youth describes how African Americans are portrayed by each other and by society. Chesnutt feels that everyone is equal, no matter what color they are and what their true culture is. Chesnutt did not tell others about his identity "in such a manner that if he did not admit of his descent few would imagine it" (Howells). The diction Chesnutt uses through out the story, takes the reader back to the time when the story was actually taking place, the end of the Civil War. The tone Chesnutt uses is very sincere and full of emotion and intimacy.

Although he though he had found the woman that he would spend the rest of his life with, he didn't realize how much love can be appreciated and have so much power till he met Liza Jane. The conversation the two carried when they met was touching and surprising, which took some re-reading due to the fact that Liza Jane spoke ob onyx. Chesnutt really though that the man Jane was looking for could have been anyone. He spoke very bluntly, on what he thought of the whole situation. Even though she showed him the picture, it didn't resemble anyone he thought he knew. As Jane walked away with the passion she carried for her lost one, Chesnutt stood in front of the mirror focusing on his own facial features.

As the ball started, the audience sat around patiently for the speech that Chesnutt was to present. Instead of reciting the poem that he intended for Mrs. Dixon, Chesnutt retold the story about Liza Jane and her lost love. Chesnutt made his character tell the story in way that it would touch the entire audience. It was the answer that Mrs. Dixon gave him about the situation that made him realize that he needed to do what was right.

As Jane walked on the stage, Ryder answered the question by telling everyone that he was her lost love. The story not only touched every reader no matter what color you were, it gave a sense of true realism. According to W.D. Howells, The Wife of His Youth was a remarkable piece of work. The story was relatively new not only to the reader, but to the author as well. The Blue Vein group were mainly black people who were passing themselves off as white in order to live a highly and respectful way of life. Howells believes that Chesnutt wrote this story because he knew that everyone would apprehend it.

For those who truly knew what love meant, then they would conciece the story even more. To Howells, Chesnutt sees his people very clearly and just, and tells them exactly how he feels and sees them. The happy life Chesnutt lived was the life that he drew for himself. He grew up in a life very crucial for the Negro, and because he was of light skin, he then had to deny himself the honor of his true ethnicity. The ways he chose soon gave him the opportunities that he needed and won him a place at the top. Charles Chesnutt is a fine author who speaks boldly and bluntly, and opens the eyes of all his readers.

Bibliography

Chesnutt, Charles Wadell". Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia. 2001.
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Biography of Charles Wadell Chesnutt". North Carolina Writers Network. 02 Jan 2002.
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Chesnutt, Charles, Waddell. "The Wife of His Youth". Atlantic Monthly. 12 Feb 2002.
Howells, W.D. "Mr. Charles Chesnutt's Stories". Eserver Online Publishing. 11 Feb 2002.