The theme of prejudice/racism is a powerful one.
studied tackled the theme (through language, plot and characterisation) of prejudice/.
racism and show which you thought was most effective. .
.
.
The theme of prejudice and racism are powerful ones, which bring out mixed emotions .
from people. Two writers that deal with theme of prejudice and racism effectively are .
Shirley Jackson in the short story “After you my dear Alphonse” .
and Billie Holiday in the song “Strange Fruit.” Throughout this essay, I will be comparing .
these two writers. .
The short story “After you my Dear Alphonse” is about a young boy called Johnny, .
who brings his friend Boyd home for lunch. Boyd is of African origin and because of this .
Johnny’s mother, Mrs. Wilson, uses her preconceived ideas .
to judge Boyd’s lifestyle and family is like. She alters her behaviour and treats Boyd .
differently, in an almost patronising .
manner. Throughout the story all her assumptions about Boyd are disproved and at the .
end she starts too get upset. At the end of the story both boys leave the house thinking .
Mrs. Wilson is a bit mad. .
Mrs. Wilson doesn’t realise that she is being prejudiced to Boyd but her behaviour .
suggests that she has stereotypical notions of what Boyd’s family is like. Her .
preconceived ideas about people of African origin continually .
surface in the story through her questions and statements. For example, when she asks, .
“What does your mother do, Boyd?” and he answers, “She takes care of us kids.” This .
surprises Mrs. Wilson because she has the idea that Boyd’s .
mother will be out working to support the large family. In actual fact, Boyd comes from a .
two child family and themother stays at home. This shows that Mrs. Wilson is prejudice .
towards Boyd’s background. .
Another example of this is when Mrs. Wilson prejudges Boyd’s father because he .
works in a factory. She says,” He certainly has to be strong to do all that lifting and .
carrying at a factory.
