Brooke Davis | Arizona State University (original) (raw)

Papers by Brooke Davis

Her mother's death at an early age had a profound influence on Brooke Davis, whose first nove... more Her mother's death at an early age had a profound influence on Brooke Davis, whose first novel explores love, ageing, loss and grief. She shares the cathartic experience of writing the book and her delight at its enthusiastic reception with Maureen Eppen.

The most important aspect of Quicksand is not this search for identity or even an examination of ... more The most important aspect of Quicksand is not this search for identity or even an examination of sexual freedom, it is the race problem and how this social construct creates a trickle effect within society. Race has a direct effect on every conflict throughout the novel and is the main instigator to Helga’s decision-making. From Helga constantly questioning herself, her relationships with others, and ultimately her decision on marriage, the construct of racism plays its hand from beginning to end.

By examining the origins and the uses of myth, “the Flying Dutchman” myth itself, and the state o... more By examining the origins and the uses of myth, “the Flying Dutchman” myth itself, and the state of America at the time the play was first shown, it is evident that Amiri Baraka’s play positions the myth of “the Flying Dutchman” as a symbol for the curse that is race and racism in America, which has plagued the crew, or in this case, American citizens, and is doomed to sail for eternity, or carry on forever.

For this essay, I have taken it upon myself to read the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Dougla... more For this essay, I have taken it upon myself to read the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave, and will examine the traumatic situations in which he both witnessed and experienced first-hand as a slave in America and how it still affects our country today. I will also explain why I believe this piece of literature is important for people of all ethnic backgrounds to read and why it should be included in grade school curriculum.

Out of the chaos of war, and the hegemony of Britain, emerged many literary voices, including aut... more Out of the chaos of war, and the hegemony of Britain, emerged many literary voices, including authors William Butler Yeats and James Joyce. So much of both of these writers’ work examines and explores both Irish identity and nationalism during a time of political unrest and self-discovery. Through an analysis of both William Butler Yeats and James Joyce’s literary work, I will compare and contrast their views on Ireland and Irish identity.

For those who are not intimately aware of Tupac’s body of work, whether it be his book of poetry,... more For those who are not intimately aware of Tupac’s body of work, whether it be his book of poetry, The Rose that Grew from Concrete, or any of his albums, he is mostly remembered by the last six months of his life which were riddled with trauma, paranoia, and Death Row antics. Yet, the son of a Black Panther, Tupac Shakur left behind a legacy of protest; the same war that his mother, Afeni Shakur, fought, Tupac also fought. The war against Black bodies, Black intellectualism, Black spirituality, and anything pertaining to the African American communities in America has been prevalent since its inception. Protests throughout the years have all had the same message, just different eras, different tones, and little to no results. Tupac defiantly objected the oppression of his community in many different ways; he was a walking protest. He was rebellious, unapologetic, and prolific. Tupac was unyielding in his protest through his art by being emphatically vocal and speaking up for those whose voices are suppressed (especially the youth), by telling stories of how Black communities across America are symptomatic of systemic oppression, and by being courageous enough to be vulnerable, a trait not often associated with Black men.

Langston Hughes is certainly most known as a popular, prolific figure of the Harlem Renaissance, ... more Langston Hughes is certainly most known as a popular, prolific figure of the Harlem Renaissance, or “New Negro Movement,” a period where African Americans found their artistic identity, in turn creating their own artistic community. Hughes stands out for his prideful and reflective poems like, “The Negro Speaks of Rivers,” but also for his rebellious poetry such as, “I, Too” and “A Dream Deferred.” Because the movement appealed to both a Black and White audience, some authors, like W. E. B. DuBois, were critical of some of the poetry produced because of its salaciousness, feeling that he didn’t want the African American community to be presented in this light.

In his article, “The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain” Hughes inadvertently responded by saying, “The Negro artist works against an undertow of sharp criticism and misunderstanding from his own group and unintentional bribes from the whites. ‘Oh, be respectable, write about nice people, show how good we are,’ say the Negroes,” (Hughes 1926) challenging these criticisms from his own community and asserting that the majority and the core of the movement furnished, “a wealth of colorful, distinctive material for any artist because they still hold their own individuality in the face of American standardizations,” (Hughes 1926). Therefore, Hughes’ existence and presence in and outside of the movement was protest in itself; he existed in this worldly space to pronounce his blackness and protest against those (both Black and White) who opposed its truth, whether ugly or beautiful, and this is apparent in his poems “Harlem,” “Freedom,” and “Go Slow” which all assert the immediate need for change, for African American rights, for equality, and most importantly respect.