Comparsion essay

            
            
            
             The theme of prejudice/racism is a powerful one.
             studied tackled the theme (through language, plot and characterisation) of prejudice/.
             racism and show which you thought was most effective. .
             .
             .
             The theme of prejudice and racism are powerful ones, which bring out mixed emotions .
             from people. Two writers that deal with theme of prejudice and racism effectively are .
             Shirley Jackson in the short story "After you my dear Alphonse" .
             and Billie Holiday in the song "Strange Fruit." Throughout this essay, I will be comparing .
             these two writers. .
             The short story "After you my Dear Alphonse" is about a young boy called Johnny, .
             who brings his friend Boyd home for lunch. Boyd is of African origin and because of this .
             Johnny's mother, Mrs. Wilson, uses her preconceived ideas .
             to judge Boyd's lifestyle and family is like. She alters her behaviour and treats Boyd .
             differently, in an almost patronising .
             manner. Throughout the story all her assumptions about Boyd are disproved and at the .
             end she starts too get upset. At the end of the story both boys leave the house thinking .
             Mrs. Wilson is a bit mad. .
             Mrs. Wilson doesn't realise that she is being prejudiced to Boyd but her behaviour .
             suggests that she has stereotypical notions of what Boyd's family is like. Her .
             preconceived ideas about people of African origin continually .
             surface in the story through her questions and statements. For example, when she asks, .
             "What does your mother do, Boyd?" and he answers, "She takes care of us kids." This .
             surprises Mrs. Wilson because she has the idea that Boyd's .
             mother will be out working to support the large family. In actual fact, Boyd comes from a .
             two child family and themother stays at home. This shows that Mrs. Wilson is prejudice .
             towards Boyd's background. .
             Another example of this is when Mrs. Wilson prejudges Boyd's father because he .
             works in a factory. She says," He certainly has to be strong to do all that lifting and .
             carrying at a factory.