Ethnic American Literature
What is otherness?
In simple terms, otherness is a state of feeling different from the accepted norm. In regards to Ethnic American Literature, otherness is defined as alienation from the dominant group - in this case, white Americans - due to the physical, cultural, and/or psychological differences that exist as a result of one's ethnic identity.
Of the identifying factors that an individual can never hope to separate from their psyche, culture, ethnicity, and social class predominate. The combination of the three aforementioned traits create diverse individuals with unique stories to tell. Unfortunately, the voices of such diverse people are often silenced due to the concept of otherness. Seen as different or unacceptable because of their differences, the personal stories of Ethnic American people are too often left untold.
By reading the literature of American people who possess second ethnic identities, their unique struggles as a result of their ethnicity are revealed. The short stories in units one through three explore literature written by or about Ethnic Americans with the purpose of giving them a voice. Through themes of love, difficult circumstances and oppression, the selection of nine short stories analyzed within this website reveal that the concept of 'otherness' is flawed: regardless of ethnicity, humans experience similar struggles.
In simple terms, otherness is a state of feeling different from the accepted norm. In regards to Ethnic American Literature, otherness is defined as alienation from the dominant group - in this case, white Americans - due to the physical, cultural, and/or psychological differences that exist as a result of one's ethnic identity.
Of the identifying factors that an individual can never hope to separate from their psyche, culture, ethnicity, and social class predominate. The combination of the three aforementioned traits create diverse individuals with unique stories to tell. Unfortunately, the voices of such diverse people are often silenced due to the concept of otherness. Seen as different or unacceptable because of their differences, the personal stories of Ethnic American people are too often left untold.
By reading the literature of American people who possess second ethnic identities, their unique struggles as a result of their ethnicity are revealed. The short stories in units one through three explore literature written by or about Ethnic Americans with the purpose of giving them a voice. Through themes of love, difficult circumstances and oppression, the selection of nine short stories analyzed within this website reveal that the concept of 'otherness' is flawed: regardless of ethnicity, humans experience similar struggles.