A Strenuous Search For Cultural Identity

In American history blacks feel perplexed with their identity because of their special experience. In the multicultural context of American society, they are more puzzled about their identity. In academic circles, blacks' identity occupies a very important part of discussion and argument. Toni Morrison pays close attention to and hopes to find a right solution through her works. Most of the criticism about her works centers on the recovery of African cultural tradition, building of blacks' cultural paradise, restoration of blacks' cultural identity, awakening of blacks' national consciousness and so on. But on the base of advocating traditional culture, we cannot ignore such a fact that the contact and communication of different cultures are bound to facilitate the development and progress of each other. The development of history has proved that American blacks have been an indispensable part of American society and they can really build their identity only by inheriting African traditional culture and western civilization.This thesis takes the strenuous search for cultural identity of the Dead family in Song of Solomon as the main line, embarks on the cultural identity of blacks in different periods, connects the pursuit of identity with their history in American society, outlines a vivid historical picture of blacks from the evolution of their identity (from the enslaved black to the emancipated freedman, to the northern migrator and then the youth born in the north), further explores the efforts made by the blacks on their way to seek their national outlets and build their cultural identity in different periods, points out the advantage and disadvantage of their choice, and finally draws to the conclusion that African American should not abandon their national tradition but at the same time they must stand on American society and find a sound integrity of the two cultures.