Tori Jackson

Professor Pears

ENGW 104

20 November 2023

A closer look at the experiences of African Americans in the 1960's

In the tapestry of American literature, Langston Hughes and Alice Childress stand as

luminary figures, each weaving narratives that shed light on the complexities of African-

American life in the mid-20th century. Hughes, a pioneering poet, playwright, and essayist,

along with Childress, an accomplished playwright and novelist, took on the formidable task of

expressing the experiences of African Americans during a period marked by widespread racial

injustice and societal constraints. The mid-20th century was marked by systemic racism,

segregation, and gender-based discrimination, presenting profound challenges for African-

American communities striving for dignity and equality. The stories "Simple Stories" by

Langston Hughes and "Childress Like One of the Family" by Alice Childress explore the

complexities of African American life in the mid-20th century, delving into the themes of racial

injustice, societal expectations, and the pursuit of dignity. Despite their differences in style and

focus, both narratives offer a poignant portrayal of the struggles faced by African Americans

during this period.

In "Simple Stories," Langston Hughes masterfully addresses racial injustice through a

tapestry of characters grappling with the harsh realities of discrimination. One touching example

is found in the character Jesse B. Semple, also known as "Simple," whose experiences serve as a

representative of the systemic prejudices prevalent in society. Simple's encounters with racism
are vividly depicted through everyday scenarios. In the text, Simple states, “I am sorry white

folks is scared to come to Harlem, but I am scared to go around some of them. Why, for instance,

in my hometown, once before I came North to live, I was walking down the street when a white

woman jumped out of her door and said, ‘Boy, get away from here because I am scared of you.’

“I said, ‘Why?’“She said, ‘Because you are black.” Hughes uses Simple as a vehicle to highlight

the pervasive nature of racial discrimination, emphasizing its infiltration into the aspects of

African American lives.

In her novel "Like One of the Family," Alice Childress similarly confronts racial

prejudice through a different narrative lens. Childress crafts a collection of characters, most

notably Mildred, a domestic worker whose experiences resonate with the broader struggles faced

by African Americans. Mildred's encounters with racial bias serve as a powerful commentary on

the intersections of race, class, and gender during this era. For instance, she recounts cases in

which people used phrases such as 'you people’ when referring to people of color. Mildred tells

her friend how uncomfortable these questions made her and how her employers always had these

conversations because they didn't know about her life and wanted to. Childress, like Hughes,

employs her characters to expose the systemic roots of racism, shedding light on how

discrimination appears in various aspects of African-American lives, both public and private.

Both authors skillfully use characters and incidents to unveil the deep-seated prejudices

embedded in society. Hughes and Childress showcase how systemic racism operates on multiple

fronts, affecting the personal, professional, and social spheres of their characters. Through the

lens of individual experiences, they collectively paint a vivid picture of the broader challenges

faced by African Americans in a society filled with discrimination.

 In "Simple Stories," Langston Hughes writes a narrative that delves into the profound

impact of societal expectations on his characters, particularly within the cultural norms of the

time. Again, the nature of Simple is a compelling vessel through which Hughes explores the

conflict between individual aspirations and societal dictates. Simple's aspirations often collide

with the societal expectations pushed upon him as an African-American man. Simple's humorous

and satirical conversations with his friend, Boyd, usually center around his encounters with

economic struggle and how challenging his life is compared to the women in his life. Simple's

desire for dignity and fair treatment clashes with the societal expectations that seek to

marginalize and diminish him based on his gender. Hughes employs these exchanges to highlight

how prejudiced societal norms routinely oppose Simple's respect and equitable treatment

aspirations. For example, “ To be a gentleman,’ said Zarita, ‘you speaks too often about the

money you spend. I’ll bet you if your girlfriend ever saw you setting up in the bar having a ball

every a.m. she would lay you low.” and “ I said, ‘I not only tore them signs down, I also tore

them Up! “She says, ‘When you have paid me my rent, you move.’ “I said, ‘I will move now.’

“She said, ‘You will not take your trunk now.’ “I said, ‘What’s to keep me?’ “She said, ‘Your

room door is locked.’ “I said, ‘Lady, I got a date tonight. I got to get in to change my clothes.’

“She says, ‘You’ll get in when you pay your rent.’ “So I had to take the money for my date that

night—that I was intending to take out Joyce—and pay up my room rent. The next week, I didn’t

have enough to move, so I am still there.” His struggles to reconcile personal desires with the

limitations imposed by societal norms mirror the broader cultural background of the mid-20th

century.

In contrast, in "Childress Like One of the Family," Alice Childress crafts a narrative that

echoes her characters' societal constraints, notably Mildred face. As an African-American

woman working as a domestic servant, Mildred argues with societal expectations that limit her

aspirations. For instance, Mildred expresses to her bosses” that she is setting boundaries between

her boss and her personal life. For example, she states, “ Mrs. M makes me downright

uncomfortable! Yes, you know what I mean, she turns my workday into a real socializin’...

tellin’ you that from here on in. I’m gonna have the guts to say that blunt “no” instead of

torturin’ myself with a weak “yes” or a lie.” Childress skillfully portrays the dance between

wanting her private life to stay private and not exposing herself to people who would most likely

talk behind her back. Hughes and Childress draw parallels in their exploration of the tension

between individual struggles and societal norms, highlighting the universality of this struggle

within the African-American experience. Through these narratives, Hughes and Childress

challenge the restrictive standards of their respective times, inviting readers to reflect on the

enduring implications of societal expectations on the individual lives of African Americans.

The narrative styles of Langston Hughes in "Simple Stories" and Alice Childress in

"Childress Like One of the Family" diverge significantly, shaping distinct reading experiences.

Hughes's storytelling, characterized by simplicity and straightforwardness, aligns with the

nickname of his central character, Simple. The use of vernacular language and native dialogue

captures the authenticity of African-American speech, drawing readers into the lived experiences

of his characters. This narrative style establishes a strong connection between the reader and the

characters and emphasizes the relatability of the explored themes. In contrast, Childress employs

a nuanced and layered narrative style in "Childress Like One of the Family." Her speech is

intricate, weaving together the complexities of racial and gender-based discrimination. Using

multiple perspectives and shifting narrative voices adds depth to the storytelling, giving readers a

panoramic view of the characters' lives. Childress's narrative style invites readers to engage with
the subtleties of her characters' experiences, encouraging a more reflective and empathetic

response to their multifaceted challenges. The tone of each story plays a crucial role in shaping

the overall impact on the reader. Hughes's style is often laced with humor and irony, creating a

touching yet accessible atmosphere. This tone humanizes the characters and injects a sense of

resilience and hope into the narrative, even in adversity.

On the other hand, Childress employs a more direct, approachable, relatable tone when

talking to her friend about her employer and her experiences as a domestic worker. The chosen

narrative techniques in each work are significant in expressing the themes and emotions

embedded within the stories. Both authors skillfully leverage their preferred styles and tones to

immerse readers in the worlds they create, fostering a profound engagement with the themes and

emotions that resonate throughout their respective works.

In summary, the comparative exploration of Langston Hughes's "Simple Stories" and

Alice Childress's "Childress Like One of the Family" unveils a rich tapestry of shared themes

that illuminate the struggles of African Americans in the mid-20th century. While employing

distinct narrative styles and tones, Hughes and Childress converge in their profound

examinations of racial injustice and societal expectations. This comparative analysis reinforces

the thesis that, despite the differences in storytelling techniques, Hughes and Childress converge

in their dedication to shedding light on the shared struggles of African Americans during a hectic

period in history. Beyond being reflective of historical and cultural contexts, the stories of

Simple and Mildred continue to resonate today, offering readers a timeless understanding of the

complexities marginalized communities face.

 Works Cited

Childress, Alice. Childress like One in the Family,

canvas.howard.edu/courses/40012/files/2303322?wrap=1. Accessed 11 Nov. 2023.

Hughes, Langston. “The Early Simple Stories.” The Early Simple Stories,

canvas.howard.edu/courses/40012/files/2303318?wrap=1. Accessed 11 Nov. 2023.