Understanding "The Child" by Julius Lester: A Deep Analysis
During the height of the civil rights movement in 1960, Julius Lester published "The Child," a powerful short story exploring racial identity, coming-of-age struggles, and mother-daughter relationships. The narrative unfolds through third-person limited narration, allowing readers intimate access to the protagonist's thoughts and feelings.
Definition: Third-person limited narration focuses on one character's perspective while maintaining the use of "he/she/they" rather than "I."
The story centers on Karen, a seventeen-year-old African American student navigating pregnancy in New York City. During a subway ride, she contemplates her past, present, and future, making the title "The Child" doubly meaningful - referring both to Karen herself and her unborn baby.
The complex character dynamics reveal deeper themes about racial identity and generational expectations. Karen's mother, a hardworking single parent who prioritizes education and religious values, represents traditional aspirations for African American advancement. Meanwhile, Phillip, the absent father, embodies irresponsibility while taking pride in his "manhood."
Highlight: The story's subway setting serves as a microcosm of racial dynamics in 1960s America, featuring symbolic characters like the self-assured white girl and the frustrated black man.