"Manchild in the Promised Land"

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses how the novel "Manchild in the Promised Land" by the African-American writer Claude Brown, tells the story of Claude and his family after their move from the South to the Northern "Promised Land" of New York City. The paper depicts how the novel reflects American culture in the struggles of a young black man in a drug, alcohol and crime-infested urban environment. The paper demonstrates how Claude was the exception to most black youths like him who remained in Harlem and therefore would be destined to adult lives of crime. The paper portrays how the author managed to rise above his early poor circumstances and succeed in life, despite the inequality of opportunities for all in urban America.

From the Paper:

"The autobiographical story that Claude Brown tells within his Manchild in the Promised Land reflects realities of American culture in many key ways, e.g., in terms of the hopefulness that Americans typically bring, historically speaking, to new places and new beginnings (e.g., the Massachusetts Bay Colony; westward expansion; the northward migration of blacks after Abolition and the passage of the 13th Amendment). Claude's own family's migration takes place during a mid-20th century wave of migration of Southern blacks, from places like Georgia (where Claude's family comes from); Alabama, and Mississippi, to the big cities in search of better jobs; less racial prejudice, and a better way of life."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Brown, Claude. Manchild in the Promised Land. New York: Touchstone, 1999.

More papers on "Manchild in the Promised Land":

• Analytical Essay # 58509 : "Claude Brown's "Manchild in the Promised Land"
• Book Review # 96479 : "Naked in the Promised Land"
• Essay # 6518 : "Alienation from Society"

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