Ann Petry's "The Street"

Paper Summary:

This paper examines the Ann Petry novel "The Street." It describes the story of the female African-American heroine's life as a single mother in Harlem. The paper demonstrates Petry's use of her main character to explore the limitation of the American capitalist system, when issues of gender and race are concern. The author writes that the novel is a tragic reality of the sufferings of African-American people in one of the most prosperous capitalist societies of the world. The paper describes how the novel is American naturalistic tradition through the depiction of real life on the streets of Harlem.

From the Paper:

"Ann Petry's "The Street" is a story about Lutie Johnson, an intelligent, strong, and beautiful black woman who does her best to raise an eight-year-old son as a single parent, advance in her job, and work her way out of the Harlem streets. Petry uses Lutie Johnson as a medium to explore the limitations of the American capitalist system; the role of race and gender in perpetuating violence, poverty and failure; and the societal restrictions that restrict and oppress the female gender, especially black women. "

More papers on Ann Petry's "The Street":

• Book Review # 118635 : "Ann Petry's "The Street"
• Book Review # 110427 : "Racism and Prejudice in "The Street"
• Analytical Essay # 58780 : "Native Son" and "The Street"

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