Identity Crisis Under "Double Consciousness"

Awarded the Nobel Prize in 1993, Toni Morrison is the first black female writer being the laureate in the history, has set up another monument for American black literature in the twentieth century. Black communities as its most backgrounds, ordinary blacks as its most heroes, Morison's works on one hand, reflects blacks'history and destiny in American society, on the other, depicts various relationships and life experiences within the black race. The exploration of self and identity has remained one of the most significant themes throughout Morrison's creation. Starting from both race and gender, this thesis focuses on African American black males produced by Morrison, exploring the hidden or obvious identity crisis existed among black males while in the search for the crisis-defusing approach put forward by Morrison.The introduction of my thesis is to introduce background,research and concept of this issue.First I'll have a macro examination of the three climaxes of American black literature in the twentieth century. Morrison is the representative of the third one. Then I'll have a review and summary of the current research situation for Morrison both abroad and at home, point out research priorities and blind spots, hoping to raise my own arguments. After this basis follows the introduction of the research contents of my thesis and the definition of the two concepts"double consciousness"and"identity crisis"which appear in the title.The first chapter is to probe into the cultural identity crisis under the ethnic consciousness from the ethnic point of view. Blacks have been plagued by ethnic discrimination and oppression since the moment they set foot on the North American Continent. White men have always being persecuting them in economic, political and cultural dimensions. Particularly, the cultural hegemony had resulted in the dislocation of black males'spirit. They either abandon themselves approving the white culture consciously; either stick to themselves guarding the black culture blindly; either lose themselves sinking into the crack between the two cultures.The second chapter is to research males'identity crisis under gender consciousness from the gender perspective. Confronted with the ethnic discrimination and oppression, black males should have united with females of the same ethnic group and guarded blacks'spiritual home. However, the presence of male-centralism has made black males suffer greatly from ethnical trauma and lose females'support and trust. They have no idea about how to maintain their male identity, which leads to the birth of the gender identity crisis. They may choose to flee their homes, may vent their fears through the use of violence, or behave abnormally, or depend on females completely.The third chapter is to find the ultimate way out of American black males under the double identity crises of race and gender. Morrison considers writing as"a way of thinking", exposing mercilessly the identity crisis of black males, meanwhile, showing clearly the direction to resolve the identity crisis. She holds the view that we should seek one kind of harmony no matter in the face of racial issues or in the treatment of gender relations. As for the racial part, we should keep to black fine traditions while drawing upon the nourishments of modern western civilization, as so to create one new black culture which is suitable to exist, develop and prosper in American society. As for the gender part, on one hand, males should lower down their superior attitude and conduct equal dialogues with females, on the other, females should be tolerant and understanding towards males thus the gender harmony can be established.