CDMA asked this question about Native Son:
I own both "Native Son" and his memoir, "Black Boy." Maybe this is a non-sequitur for a question due to the fact that it's all subjective, but I always appreciate an opinion or two. Should I read "Native Son" first, or should I go ahead and start the memoir? What do you guys and gals think?
Cathy Sargent Both books were required reading while attending graduate school: a masters degree in counseling...We were required to compare these books to "Moby Di…moreBoth books were required reading while attending graduate school: a masters degree in counseling...We were required to compare these books to "Moby Dick" and "The Wizard of Oz": there is no place like home...but that home is often split up like the whale into body parts: body, mind, soul split.. The Whale was broken down into skin for spectacles and lamp shades and oil for lamps...Both Black Boy and Bigger Thomas reflects back a culture that is split up..body/mind/ soul by a materialistic society of the dominant culture..The White American Dream did not include blacks. And a man can starve for meaning more than a piece of bread.(less)
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