The Sellout Sparknotes

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EN 291 explores several themes and issues embedded in American society and American law that affect a variety of marginalized groups. In this course, we explore how laws have perpetuated social stigmas, racism, and injustices against African Americans, Native Americans, Asian Americans, and more. We have investigated laws like the Stand Your Ground law and have also talked about how we may perceive the law differently now. The novels, excerpts, and short stories have all aided our exploration of literature in the law. One novel that should be added to the course is “The Sellout” by Paul Beatty. The novel is characterized by its unconventional narration and the direct critique of the uncomfortable truths of racial dynamics of American society. …show more content…

These are all themes that arise in EN 291. However, EN 291 could further the discussion of the race identity. “The Sellout” would help further this discussion because Beatty portrays how systemic racism and racial injustice affect the complexities of identity and race. Along with the themes and issues that arise in “The Sellout”, this novel also connects to several novels that are read in EN 291. One notable piece of literature that could further the discussion of “The Sellout”, is “Critical Race Theory” by Richard Delgado. Through the themes and issues presented in “The Sellout”, this course can further analyze “The Sellout” through the lens of “Critical Race Theory”. The key concepts in “Critical Race Theory” are presented in “The Sellout” and can be analyzed by connecting the two. The first analysis could talk about the intersectionality of race and how it affects racial identity. “Critical Race Theory”, defines intersectionality as, “... the examination of race, sex, class, national origin, and sexual orientation and how their combination …show more content…

“Critical Race Theory” emphasizes the fact that intersecting the things that create identity can create issues like oppression or give others privilege that cannot be understood or changed from simplistic solutions. This concept can further analyze “The Sellout”. For one, Bonbon, the main character in the novel, stands before the Supreme Court because he reinstitutes segregation in his hometown. While Bonbon defends his laughable new institution, it is through his sarcastic sarcasm that we can see what Beatty is trying to prove. Looking through the lens of “Critical Race Theory”, we can see that simple solutions such as segregation do not solve the complex issues that intersectionality creates for certain marginalized groups. Delgado writes, “Many races are divided along lines of socioeconomic status, politics, religion, sexual orientation, and national origin, each of which generates intersectional individuals.” (Delgado, 51). Another theme that can be further analyzed using “Critical Race Theory” is systemic racism. In “The Sellout”, Beatty reflects on the history of segregation and slavery. With this reflection, Beatty displays how the history of these two still affects marginalized groups today. Beatty

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