The themes of racial segregation and frustration against the African of the black community run as the dominant theme across these stories. There are the plight and the issue of slaves being mistreated by their white or colonial masters. It is important to note and record and mention that these stories articulate the issues mistreatment against the people of color because there is no aspect of fairness and equality. Most of the stories begin from the background of zero economic wellness. Thus, most of the characters in these stories are sacrificed as slaves or domestic workers where they are subjected to second rate treatment, where they do not enjoy equal rights and benefits as the masters. For instance in the story and novel Family by Joan California, this argument and line of thought is articulated and brought to the front.
Firstly, Clora and her children stipulate the line of thought and reasoning that they are of Africa descent and origin (Cooper 12). Thus, when they mingle and interact with other races, there is the admission of the fact that they are not equal to the other races. It happens in the way that they are sold to the other races so as they serve in those farms as slaves. It is not enough that they offer their services under hardship; they are henceforth subjected to second rate lifestyles where they are raped and murdered. It is notwithstanding the fact that they may not have done grave mistakes to warrant or invite the cruel punishment.
Subsequently, the general mood and feeling that is brought to the front is the aspect of cruelty and hardships especially to the people or the races of color. The same story line suffices and is true for the story or the book Kindred by Octavia Butler. For instance, it begins with the assertions and intuitions that Dana who happens to be a young woman of African origin or color, moving to a new apartment in another neighborhood (Butler 7). As much as all of them have traveled same distance and are tired because they were in the same experience at the same time, Dana does most of the unsettling and unpacking the belongings.
The white husband, on the other hand, does some ‘office’ work by trying to fix his office space. In terms of symbolic implications, this circumstance and scenario presents a situation whereby the blacks or the people of color are subjected to unequal treatment. Where they are expected to do the menial jobs while their white counterparts do the simple ones.It is also important to note and record that the women are subjected to sexual violence where they are raped and at times killed. The above shows that there is an aspect of a directed anger and cruel treatment such as rape, towards the people of color such as the African Americans or the blacks.
The same circumstance happens in the story Piano lessons where the slaves Willie and his sister Berniece were separated for three years because they worked for different masters and farms. It also goes for the notion that he was serving sentence in the farm of a colonial master in Parchman Prison farm. The irreducible minimum is the fact that they were slaves condemned to work under hardships on the farms of their masters.
Conclusively, in the above essay, I have highlighted and demonstrated the theme that cuts across the three books. The dominant theme is the aspect of cruel and inhuman treatment against the blacks and people of African descent. It stems from the fact and line of reasoning that they are sold as slaves and subjected to a life of physical cruelty and violence (Wilson 555). The violence and mistreatment reaches a point where the women are raped, and other characters are killed or maimed. The mistreatment against the Africans or the people of color is the dominant theme alongside the aspect of racial mistreatment. As a student, I have learnt about the racial segregation and discrimination that exist in the human society. It would be beneficial for the society as a whole to learn from such unfortunate events with a view, aim and objective of improving the welfare of the society henceforth.
Works Cited
Butler, Octavia E. Kindred. Boston: Beacon Press, 2003. Internet resource.
Cooper, J C. Family: A Novel. New York: Anchor Books, 2011. Internet resource.
Wilson, August. The Piano Lesson. Paw Prints, 2008. Print.
