Conflict of Double Consciousness and Rejection of Power Structures in African American Literature

Abstract

The narratives of African American literature focus on the issues of slavery, inequality, identity crisis and racism. This research paper details the conflict of double consciousness and rejection of power structures in African American literature in reference to works such as Invisible Man, Twelve Years a Slave and Black Boy. The complexity of assurance to self-identity is evident in the characterization of the characters in works of African American writers. The paper aims at understanding the depiction of characters and their relevance to theme of discrimination, racial injustice caused by power structures and inferior status in the society. The cruelty of colonial hegemony is deeply rooted in the African American literature which portrays the hardships and difficulties endured by people of African American communities.