Man as Part of the Nation?

Running head: MODULE 4: ALICE CHILDRESS 1
MODULE 4: ALICE CHILDRESS

Module 4: Alice Childress
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Module 4: Alice Childress
The title, “Like One of the Family” is a presentation of social satire. It describes that state of being viewed as part of a nation and yet understood as inferior to other races or gender. The author addresses race, gender, and roles of women during a specific age of time. According to Marshall (2013), humor is achieved through effective exploitation of events and circumstances in a satirical manner. The subjects within which the society in question dwells include racial identity and place for femininity. By exploiting humor, the contents of the text achieve an objective climax by revealing social trends and empowering constructive social criticism. What`s more, a sense of activism gains precedence through the exploits of satire.
As Hill (2006) states, “Childress is an African American author writing to an African American, working-class audience, using a medium controlled by people of African descent,” (p.30). The author uses diverse cultures and positions in society to reveal hidden facts and criticizes the wrongs in society. She employs creativity in the text concerning conversations between Mildred and Mrs. C. whereby in that context, Mildred feels that she is the role she assumes at Mrs. C`s home. According to Childress (1986), Mildred dislikes being addressed as a member of the family and insists that Mrs. C addresses her as a house help. To that extent, satire is revealed in that Mrs. C appears to be using a title that mocks racial diversity and those with lower social standing. At the same juncture, Mildred`s character is used to reveal the rot in society in a satirical manner.
Contrary to the common purpose of satire which is to correct and to reintroduce individuals to the society, “Like One Of The Family” involves utilization of humor only to expose the wrong deeds that occur in Mildred`s society. According to Champion and Austin (2002), La Vinia Delois Jennings finds that the purpose of this work is to disturb and instigate change amongst white populations to collapse racism and bring gender sensitivity. Childress emphasizes on exposing the wrongs in society with relevance to gender sensitivity and racial discriminative communities. As a black woman, Mildred is exposed to discrimination and mocked as she is assumed to be less empowered but more likely to fail.
The position of females in society is revealed as racially predetermined. Mildred is very devoted to a course; she respects her role and undertakes her activities every day through a number in the group advice email. The difference between the diverse people in society should not be an item used to separate people based on roles and gender. Conforming to Hill (2006), Mildred is not viewed as a servant, yet she is required to serve the same people who insist that she is more of the family than a house help. Besides the word of mouth and insisting on Mildred`s place in society, she remains an active servant. With consideration of gender, women are depicted as the part of society expected to take up servant roles.
The society seems to lack leniency for women, African Americans, and in the case of African-American women, there is a double disadvantage. However, the portrayal of Mildred as having dignity and self-respect places her character at a point of power as she is not influenced by her surroundings and the events that occur around her but rather influences others.
In conclusion, Childress work seeks to address social challenges that arise due to inequality. Like one of the family is a satirical work of art that revolves around racial and gender-related discrimination. The author exposes the wrongs that happen in western societies and affect African-American populations. The interactions between, Mildred and her employer reveal useful information about race and gender activism in the form of satirical writing.
References
Champion, L., & Austin, R. (2002). Contemporary American women fiction writers. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press.
Childress, A. (1986). Like one of the family. Boston: Beacon Press.
Hill, C. P. (2006). From Black power to hip hop: Racism, nationalism, and feminism. Philadelphia: Temple University Press.
Marshall, A. (2013). The practice of satire in England, 1658-1770. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press.

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Running head: MODULE 4: ALICE CHILDRESS

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Module 4: Alice Childress

Name

Instructor

Institution

Course

Date