The Protest Novel: Examining Civil Rights Era Literature Through Richard Wright and Lorrain Hansberry

“Down By the Riverside,” a socialist-driven naturalistic short story by Richard Wright confronts the intense white supremacist ideology of 20th century America amidst the flooding of the Mississippi River. A Raisin in the Sun by Lorrain Hansberry, likewise, confronts American racism and segregation in the urban setting of Chicago, IL through a liberal-inflected realistic point of view. Though both are prominent examples of protest literature, they differ markedly in their diagnosis of American society.

    Wright, a socialist at the time of the publication of Uncle Tom’s Children, viewed the American market-based economy and society as unsalvageable and unable to create a just society for African-Americans. He drew a parallel between the Mississippi River flood and segregationist society (both devastating issues converging on the protagonist Brother Mann) to depict the unrelenting violence and harshness of the latter. Wright confronted the fundamental unfairness of the situation that ultimately leads to Mann’s death and the Hartfields’ survival–Mann has to struggle through both the undiscriminating flood and the discriminating attitudes of white townspeople who only have the floodwaters to concern themselves with–to argue that, for the sake of justice and fairness for everyone, capitalist society must altogether be abandoned. Even under the catastrophic threat of a collapsed levee and rapidly rising floodwaters, white people are unwilling (and perhaps unable) to let go of their racist beliefs and oppressive actions. In the end, it is not the flood but the violent actions of white soldiers that killed Mann.

    Hansberry’s play, conversely, reflects the individualism of liberalism. The Youngers thrive in spite of the racist system they live in. They are able to resist the offers of Lindner through their own pride, not through systemic changes. In this manner, she makes a similar case to Booker T. Washington’s; as individuals, we have the power to change our own lives independent of what happens with the environment around us. She believes that thriving under capitalism is possible, as evinced by the Youngers moving into their new home. Hansberry does not, however, laud segregationist society. Lindner and racism are still the primary antagonizing forces at play in A Raisin in the Sun. She instead makes a two-pronged argument: first that capitalism is a promising system, and second that change is still necessary. At the end of the play neither of the antagonizing forces are brought to justice. Lindner simply walks out, and the racism embedded in their new community hangs over them. 

    To this end, I think the differences between Wright and Hansberry closely mirror those of Harriet Jacobs and Booker T. Washington. Wright and Jacobs are both advocates for change; they show through their writing the brutal consequences of racism and argue that only through sweeping change can justice and prosperity be brought to African Americans. Wright’s short story comes from a place of activism and raising awareness; he is shedding light on a salient and devastating issue he wants changed. Conversely, Hansberry emphasizes individual action and autonomy similar to how Washington does: prosperity is possible under the current system (which itself, however, is not perfect). Hansberry’s play empowers and gives hope to Black Americans similar to how Tolson’s Libretto does. 

    

    Ultimately, both “Down By the Riverside” and A Raisin in the Sun are pieces born from their authors reacting to the present struggle for civil rights. Though their views on American society differ, the way they handle it suits their respective purposes.