The Scarlet Ibis And A Lesson Before Dying

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Recommended: Racism and literature

The narrator in the short story “The Scarlet Ibis” refuses to accept his brother, Doodle, despite their close, familial ties. Doodle was different than the narrator, so he was treated as if he was less than those around him. In the eye opening novel A Lesson Before Dying a black man named Jefferson faces racial discrimination within the justice system. Like Doodle, he is thought to be less than the people in his town, for they had lighter skin.

The scene chosen from A Lesson Before Dying is the one in which Grant has a conversation with his old teacher. Paden, Hannah, Josh, and Taylor explained the importance of this scene in great detail, pointing out the systemic racism that becomes apparent within their exchange. It is represented with

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