This term paper examines how Morrison exposes the category of "race" to be mere biological fiction but still serves to structure people's expectations towards eachother in everyday interactions. the main questions tackled in the term paper will be the following: What is the understanding of the term race as presented by Morrison in “Recitatif”? What are the interrelations of race and gender with regard to Afro-American women? What are the social facts surrounding certain attributes of “race”?
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 1.1. Race as a Classificatory Category in Science
- 1.2. Gender in Scientific Discourse
- 2. Representation of Non-Mainstream Racial Identity
- 3. Gender in "Recitatif"
- 4. Social Fact, Biological Fiction – Race in “Recitatif”
- 5. Summary, Conclusion and Outlook
Objectives and Key Themes
This term paper examines Toni Morrison's short story "Recitatif," focusing on its portrayal of race and gender. It seeks to understand Morrison's concept of race within the narrative, analyze the interplay of race and gender for African-American women, and explore the social construction of racial attributes. The paper also touches upon the complexities and debates within scientific and social discourse surrounding both race and gender.
- Morrison's concept of race as presented in "Recitatif"
- The intersection of race and gender for African-American women
- The social construction of racial categories
- The scientific and social discourse surrounding race and gender
- The impact of socially constructed racial categories on individual perception
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the paper's analysis of Toni Morrison's "Recitatif." It establishes the central question of how Morrison portrays race in her short story, focusing on the ambiguity surrounding the racial identities of the two main characters, Twyla and Roberta. The chapter introduces the key themes of race and gender, highlighting their interconnectedness and the complexities involved in understanding their significance within an Afro-American context. It briefly discusses the historical and scientific understanding of race, touching upon the flawed biological classification and its lasting social impact. The chapter lays the groundwork for a detailed exploration of these themes throughout Morrison's narrative.
1.1. Race as a Classificatory Category in Science: This section delves into the historical and scientific understanding of "race" as a classificatory category. It traces the evolution of the concept from early human communities to its use in Enlightenment philosophy and its eventual integration into various academic disciplines. The chapter analyzes the influence of scientific racism, highlighting how biological features were used to justify social hierarchies and inequalities. It critically examines the role of Christianity and the concept of heredity in shaping the idea of race, showing how these factors contributed to the construction of racial stereotypes and prejudice. The section concludes by acknowledging the discrediting of "race" as a biological category in modern genetics, while still emphasizing its enduring social significance. It introduces Morrison’s perspective that race is a socially constructed category shaping individual perception.
1.2. Gender in Scientific Discourse: This section briefly addresses the concept of gender as it intersects with Morrison's work and its relevance to "Recitatif." It differentiates gender from sex, emphasizing the social and cultural construction of gender roles and identities. The chapter acknowledges the complexities of gender studies and the various theoretical perspectives on its nature, including debates about the artificiality of the gender/sex distinction. This section establishes the importance of considering both race and gender in analyzing Morrison's story, though acknowledging that "Recitatif" primarily focuses on racial issues, while gender-related problems are largely "bracketed."
Keywords
Race, gender, Toni Morrison, Recitatif, social construction, racial identity, Afro-American women, scientific racism, ethnicity, cultural interpretation, literary analysis.
Toni Morrison's "Recitatif": A Term Paper Preview - FAQ
What is the main focus of this term paper?
This term paper analyzes Toni Morrison's short story "Recitatif," focusing on its portrayal of race and gender. It examines Morrison's concept of race within the narrative, analyzes the interplay of race and gender for African-American women, and explores the social construction of racial attributes. The paper also considers the complexities and debates within scientific and social discourse surrounding both race and gender.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
Key themes include Morrison's concept of race as presented in "Recitatif," the intersection of race and gender for African-American women, the social construction of racial categories, the scientific and social discourse surrounding race and gender, and the impact of socially constructed racial categories on individual perception.
What is included in the Table of Contents?
The table of contents includes an introduction (with sections on race as a scientific category and gender in scientific discourse), a chapter on the representation of non-mainstream racial identity in "Recitatif," a chapter on gender in "Recitatif," a chapter on the social construction of race in "Recitatif," and a concluding chapter with a summary, conclusion, and outlook.
What does the introduction cover?
The introduction sets the stage for the paper's analysis by establishing the central question of how Morrison portrays race in "Recitatif," focusing on the ambiguity of the racial identities of the main characters. It introduces the key themes of race and gender and briefly discusses the historical and scientific understanding of race, including its flawed biological classification and its lasting social impact.
What is discussed in the section on "Race as a Classificatory Category in Science"?
This section delves into the historical and scientific understanding of "race," tracing its evolution from early human communities to its use in Enlightenment philosophy and its integration into academic disciplines. It analyzes the influence of scientific racism, the role of Christianity and heredity in shaping racial stereotypes, and the discrediting of "race" as a biological category in modern genetics while emphasizing its enduring social significance. It also introduces Morrison’s perspective that race is socially constructed.
What is covered in the section on "Gender in Scientific Discourse"?
This section addresses the concept of gender as it intersects with Morrison's work and its relevance to "Recitatif." It differentiates gender from sex, emphasizing the social and cultural construction of gender roles and identities. It acknowledges the complexities of gender studies and various theoretical perspectives, noting that "Recitatif" primarily focuses on racial issues, while gender-related problems are largely "bracketed."
What are the chapter summaries about?
The chapter summaries provide concise overviews of each chapter's content, outlining the key arguments and analyses presented in each section of the paper. They offer a roadmap for understanding the progression of the argument throughout the term paper.
What keywords are associated with this paper?
Keywords include: Race, gender, Toni Morrison, Recitatif, social construction, racial identity, Afro-American women, scientific racism, ethnicity, cultural interpretation, literary analysis.
- Quote paper
- Stefan Löchle (Author), 2008, Social Fact, Biological Fiction: The Deconstruction of Race in Toni Morrison’s “Recitatif”, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/133448
