Thematic Dimensions in Booker T Washingtons Up from Slavery and Barack Obamas Dreams from My Father A Comparative Study

Abstract

With its strong insight to observe American society and extraordinary might to challenge the very structure of the social order, African-American literature has secured its rightful place in the plethora of World literature. This branch of literature was neglected for a long time. However, with its vibrant themes and dynamic narratives, it rose up as a towering edifice in the modern times. It has always guided African-American socio-cultural awakening from time to time. Be it the Emancipation of the blacks or the struggle for Civil Rights, African-American literature has always acted as the tour de force of black people. From Phillis Wheatley to Barack Obama, a number of writers and activists have tried to spread awareness by eradicating blots of racism to make the world a harmonious and tolerant place. newlineIn the process of development of socio-cultural awareness, many African-American writers, revolutionaries, politicians, activists and reformers favoured the genre of autobiography as a medium of expression of their pains and pangs. They found the structure and design of autobiography affluent, pulsating and ostentatious. Therefore, time to time, a number of black authors have produced magnificent autobiographies to portray their plights and predicaments in the American cosmos. Even Booker T. Washington and Barack Obama are no exceptions to this. Booker T. Washington, a slave-born black, with optimism in his heart, lets himself metamorphose into an idol of international fame. His life-story unveils his life in slavery and his development as an energetic humanist activist. As a beacon of his people, he always advocated racial harmony and mutual progress. He used to say, To hold a man down, you have to stay down with him. He firmly believed that character shapes a man and the things like destiny and luck are just the phantoms of human newlineix newlineimagination. newlineIn his autobiography, Up from Slavery, Washington truthfully expressed his remarkable life which influenced millions of ex-slaves. As an educationist, he tried his bes