English essay

Gonzalez 1

Note: This is an example of outline. The thesis statement, ideas, and/or commentary in this outline may not be used in your work. Ensure that your paper includes different quotes.

Malaika Gonzalez

Dr. Angela Eward- Mangione

ENC 1102

29 September 2016

Imagery, Historical Setting, and Racism in Richard Wright’s “Big Black, Good Man”

I. Hook: Judging a book by its cover, or a person by the color of his or her skin, is a

dangerous practice, particularly since humans frequently err in their evaluations,

misattributing negative characteristics to specific races or ethnicities.

Introductory Statement: Richard Wright’s “Big Black Good Man” shows how

prejudiced the members of our society can be. In this short story, it uses many concepts

of race that too many would consider racial slurs, such as the main character Olaf and the

words he uses to describe Jim throughout the story.

Thesis Statement: Olaf’s perceptions of Jim do not change much from the start of the

narrative to its end, and this fact problematizes the issue of race; however, Wright’s use

of disturbing imagery and a racially-charged historical setting most significantly amplify

the story’s exploration of racism.

Background Information: Definitions of imagery and historical setting; a brief (two-

sentence) summary of this short story.

II. Body

A. Topic Sentence (Main Point) 1 for Arguments Supporting the Thesis Statement: The

short story uses disturbing imagery through Olaf’s thoughts concerning how much he

hates Jim based on his appearance.

1. Supporting Point: Olaf repeatedly states that he is not prejudiced at all, yet he

continues to vividly think in such ways.

a. [Quoted or paraphrased example]: For example, Olaf thought,

Oh, only if the man were small, brown and intelligent looking,

that it would have made things a lot easier (Wright qtd. in

Kirszner and Mandell 241).

b. Analysis: This quote illustrates Olaf’s association of size and

color with intelligence, highlighting Olaf’s perception of Jim as a

large black man who is not as smart as men with lighter skin.

2. Supporting Point: Olaf uses animalistic imagery to describe Jim, thus

denigrating him.

Gonzalez 1

Note: This is an example of outline. The thesis statement, ideas, and/or commentary in this outline may not be used in your work. Ensure that your paper includes different quotes.

a. Quote(s): “The big black cloud of a man now lumbered into the

office, bending to get its buffalolike [sic] head under the door

frame” (239).

b. Analysis: Olaf’s negative perception of Jim leads him to refer to

Jim as an animal and to disturbingly attribute the pronoun “it,”

rather than “he,” to Jim.

B. Topic Sentence (Main Point) 2 for Arguments Supporting the Thesis Statement:: The

story’s historical setting highlights the story’s treatment of racism.

1. The time-frame of the plot isn’t mention in the story, but it’s safe to say based on

the details that the story occurred in the 1950s (Bradberry).

a. Quote

b. Analysis

c. Quote

d. Analysis

2. In this period, there were many known issues in regards to African American

Civil Rights, including the desegregation of public schools.

a. Quote

b. Analysis

C. Topic Sentence for Refutation of Opposing Arguments: “The Big Black Good Man” is

geographically set in Copenhagen, Denmark, in a cheap motel off the water, leading

some readers to falsely speculate that the story does not address either racism or the Civil

Rights Movement in the United States.

1. The story is geographically set in Denmark.

a. Quote

b. Analysis.

2. However, the story’s conflict focuses on Olaf’s perception—or misperception—of

Jim; thus, the single reference to the geographical setting of the story does not

signal that setting as important.

a. Quote

b. Analysis

D. Conclusion: This story is a classic example of the importance of diversity. There are

great people with great intentions in many different cultures. We need more open-minded

people that accept people for who they are and work collectively to live in harmony.