The influence of society or events during a writer's lifetime can greatly
impact his or her views. In Olaudah Equiano's The Interesting Narrative
of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, Equiano tells the story of his life as
a slave and his struggles to gain self-control and self-identity. Through
the course events in his lifetime where masters have controlled him, he has
been given multiple identities that pushed down his self-confidence. Having
overcome this, he takes the opportunity to preach his experiences and tell
it in a book. In Mark Twain's Puddn'head Wilson, Twain shows a bit
of his mocking tone that is present in many of his other works. When the babies
are switched, the master's child becomes the slave child and the slave child
becomes the master's child. With the simple switch, the lifestyles of the
two children change dramatically. Mark Twain criticizes society's view and
treatment of blacks, greatly influenced by his childhood, having been exposed
to unfair treatment of slaves and always having been against it. In Willa
Cather's My Antonia, the story of Antonia's childhood and the central
setting takes place in Cather's own home. At the time, many families immigrated,
as did hers, and she came across many people that she later incorporated into
My Antonia as characters. Perhaps the struggles of Antonia's family serve
as a reflection of her experiences and of the ones of her neighbors. Betty
Smith's A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, is a semi-autobiographical story
of her own life. The main character Francie's parents Katie and Johnny were
named after her parents Catherine and John. Her father having passed away
when she was only a teenager, she went to work to help support the family,
as did Francie, and both made success in writing.
Main ideas of the change in conditions between the early 19th century and the early 20th century include society's view on the 'outcasts' and their influence on those people. The first book by Equiano reflects society's view that a slave rising above his initial status was unacceptable. Slaves had no choice in fate unless they somehow cheated the system or had the luck to escape it due to circumstances. By the fourth book, society's views are a bit more acceptable, and Francie in Smith's book is looked down on but given the slightest bit of respect, perhaps due to the lessened gap between social and economical classes. Although shunned, society plays only a little part in suppressing Francie for she has a strong will. A century before, it helped little for people like Equiano to have a strong will. Another main idea involves the need for individuality. Throughout this time period, this idea has remained in the hearts of the suppressed, but it follows the pattern that the greater the suppression, the stronger the desire for individuality. It becomes less of a priority as there are fewer obstacles to achieve it.
From the early 19th century to the early 20th century, ideas changed gradually, not drastically. The main themes of the search for identity and self-reliance are present throughout the four books, only differing in levels of extremity. In the later books, differences are more accepted. Although still shunned, the 'outcast' has more of an opportunity to overcome society's pressures in the later times than the earlier ones. Beginning with Equiano's autobiography, slavery is used as a form of being a newcomer. Slaves had little chance to escape this predestined future and Equiano had to suffer through much trouble to become free, a fate that most slaves never had a chance to have. In Puddn'head Wilson, Puddn'head was greeted by society with gossip and rumors until he won their trust with his talents. Even in the case of the switched children, slavery was not as harsh on the slave child because they children were allowed to play together and have fairly peaceful lives. In My Antonia, Antonia struggles to become strong and independent on behalf of her family. She is determined to make a meaningful life for herself and overcome the many hardships put on her family when they immigrated to Nebraska. Similarly, in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Francie, the daughter of immigrant families, struggles to overcome the poverty put on her family. Living in extreme poverty, she is shunned by her peers and the society around her. Although the time period extends throughout a century, the ideas are very similar. Being labeled an outcast and shunned by society, each character has had difficulty pulling themselves out in order to lead their ideal life. Through their struggle, they acquire strength, and with that strength, they choose for themselves an identity that overpowers the one given to them by society's criticism and views.
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