Black Gothic Symbolism

 Richard Grant II

Ms. Harris
Engl 2016-44378
2 December 2021

Black Gothic Symbolism

Black gothic literature provides supernatural reasonings that highlight contemporary issues and concerns that can be beyond our understanding. The settings of a novel can provide a sense of clarity but it leaves a missing aspect that symbolism provides. Symbolism plays a role in how something is narrated based on its deeper concepts. The complexity of symbolism is essential to black gothic elements but are often overshadowed by traumatic events within novels.

Sing, Unburied, Sing:

Animals and humans were present for Jojo specifically because of his attraction to nature. Jojo was given a gris-gris bag which provided him a sense of comfort and protection from the world. The symbolism within the three characters: Jojo, Pops, and Richie are displayed by being dead or alive.
Parchman is the prison that many of the characters were imprisoned at throughout the story. Parchman is a working farm structured as a camp, where inmates are forced to toil in the fields all the day. The prison provides a strong sense of continuity between slavery and real life.
Singing is a huge element because it is a powerful mood that aligns with the situations presented throughout the story. The song is portrayed as a spirit that everything resides on Earth. African Americans used singing as a way of expression for better living for the future. This gives a sense of freedom and joy that the characters felt throughout parts of the story. Also, Leonie had a gift of hearing songs and singing from dead people,

Native Son:

“Millionaire Heiress Kidnapped. Abductors demand $10,000 in Ransom Note. Dalton family ask for release of communist suspect.”

At that point, Bigger knew it was a matter of time that the police and family figured out what happened to her. The search and findings were becoming more distinctive and constructive.

Erlone felt as if the charges against him were false and needed to be made public. The jail system did not agree with him. Therefore, he was charged with more penalties.

Bigger finally gets a chance to read the paper with some heat from a dim light. The findings said, “Reds Tried To Snare Him.” As he reads that, he is in disbelief seeing his name and picture. Also, a black cat appears next to him which gives him a sense of guilt. Black cats are a symbol for negative energy or bad luck so the thoughts of him getting caught crosses his mind.

Bigger was forced into telling Bessie what happened to her because she kept asking if the police would be after her. Bessie was overwhelmed with anger and distraught, but Bigger was in support of her emotions. Bigger wanted a drink of whiskey; however, Bessie did not want him drinking alcohol so she fixed him some milk as he told her further details.

Bessie’s emotions took over and caused her to break down. Bigger thought she should run away with him but she does not think that is the smartest idea. His aggressiveness caused her to follow his footsteps on leaving the premises. They both took a drink together and proceeded to walk into the cold.

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