Identity in James Baldwin’s Stranger in the Village and Zora Neale Hurs

Identity in throng Baldwins Stranger in the resolution and Zora Neale Hurstons How it Feels to be Colored Me Everyone has a story, a past experience that has built them up to be the person that they are today. In both James Baldwins Stranger in the Village and Zora Neale Hurstons How it Feels to be Colored Me the presence of conflicting views in their stories holds a large impact on how they later develop as individuals. While Baldwins piece demonstrates the ignorance from society which is projected onto him from Swiss villagers, it shares both similarities and differences to the attitudes demonstrated in Hurstons piece influenced by her surroundings. Being that it is difficult to escape the past and the events that deport brought strength through triumph, it is important to focus ones attention on the present and into the future. Although the past determines who an individual is, the future determines who an individual will become. James Baldwin holds the ability to push through negative affiliations in order to reach self establishment. As demonstrated in Stranger in the Village, Baldwin is simply just now a black man who was motivated by the need to establish an identity (196). Through his desire of recognition as a human universe rather than as an object, Baldwin is willing to look past the ignorance of the Swiss villagers and focus on defining himself. Greeted by the childrens calls of Neger Neger, Baldwin unintentionally finds himself reminiscing (191). Although the childrens label is non meant in a derogatory fashion, it causes Baldwin to surrender to the racial indifference of his past. Baldwin attempts to disregard his unpleasant reflection and justify the fact that change has been made. ... ...experiences and refocus his or her vitality toward the future, however, through the works of both James Baldwin and Zora Neale Hurston, it is shown to be possible. Through their experiences they worked to develop their identities, and through the presen t they looked toward the future in order to reach establishment. It is true that everyone has a story however, it is up to each individual to take that story and make it his or her own by creating an identity for him or herself. Works Cited Baldwin, James. Stranger in the Village. The Norton Reader. Ed. Linda H. Peterson and John C. Brereton. 11th ed. New York Norton, 2004. 360-68. Hurston, Zora N. How It Feels to Be Colored Me. Grammar and Composition - Homepage of About Grammar and Composition. Web. 08 Dec. 2009. .