The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man by James Weldon Johnson. Audiobook, full length

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The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man is a novel by James Weldon Johnson, first published anonymously in 1912. It is considered a groundbreaking work of African-American literature, exploring themes of race, identity, and passing in post-Reconstruction America.

Plot Summary

The novel is narrated by an unnamed black man, born to a white father and a black mother. He is light-skinned enough to pass for white, and he decides to do so in order to escape the limitations and prejudices of Jim Crow America.

The narrator's journey takes him from the rural South to the urban North and eventually to Europe. He experiences life from both sides of the color line, and he comes to realize that the complexities of race and identity cannot be easily defined.

Themes

Race: The novel is a powerful indictment of racism in America. The narrator experiences discrimination and prejudice both as a black man and as a white man, and he comes to understand that race is a social construct that has no basis in reality.

Identity: The narrator's struggle to define his own identity is one of the central themes of the novel. He is caught between two worlds, and he never feels truly at home in either one.

Passing: The novel explores the complex phenomenon of passing, in which African Americans chose to live as white people. The narrator's decision to pass is not easy, and he ultimately comes to regret it.

Significance

The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man was a groundbreaking work of literature when it was first published. It was one of the first novels to explore the experiences of African Americans in a frank and honest way, and it helped to shape the discourse on race and identity in America.

The novel is still relevant today, as it continues to grapple with issues of race, identity, and belonging. It is a powerful and thought-provoking work of literature that is essential reading for anyone interested in understanding the African-American experience.

Critical Reception

The novel was initially met with mixed reviews. Some critics praised it for its honesty and realism, while others were uncomfortable with its subject matter. However, the novel's reputation has grown over time, and it is now considered a classic of African-American literature.

Conclusion

The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man is a powerful and important work of literature. It is a novel that is both timely and timeless, and it continues to speak to readers today.

Intro 00:00:00
II 00:22:54
III 00:48:13
IV 01:05:56
V 01:25:28
VI 01:56:47
VII 02:16:05
VIII 02:24:50
IX 02:46:11
X 03:19:18
XI 04:18:38
More: The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man, James Weldon Johnson, Audiobook
Full Length, Literature, Classic
African American Literature, Race Identity, Passing
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