REligion
When it comes to religion there is no correct way to worship; everyone has their own ideas, visions of God, and worship methods. In this African American Lit. Unit this theme has been used in writings several times with various authors.
In the text, "How It Feels to Be Colored Me”, Zora Hurston refers to the "Great Stuffer of Bags" otherwise, God. "Against a wall in company with other bags, white, red, and yellow. Pour out the contents, and there is discovered a jumble of small things priceless and worthless." This describes how each bag is filled with items of worth and items of junk, and how no matter what the bag looks like on the exterior all that matters is what the contents of the bag has to offer.
This reference relates to how humans, no matter what the exterior may be, all have talents and skills to offer the world. When those talents are placed next to other people's talents when not comparing race they both are of the same value. She describes that "The Great Stuffer of Bags planned it that way." which symbolizes how God places skills and flaws within everyone, regardless of race; and how when they are combined all together they can all be valued as one.
Another way religion is viewed differently is in the novel, "The Color Purple". In this text religion is addressed through many letters written from Celie and the alterations to her religion added in by Shug Avery. At the beginning of this text Celie writes letters to God on a regular basis, creating a relationship with him as she writes of all of her life struggles. As life seems to go downhill for Celie she begins to question her faith, especially after she hears her sister, Nettie, had died on a sinking ship.
On page192, Celie cries out in anger towards God saying, "Yeah, he give me a lynched daddy, a crazy mama, a lowdown dog of a step pa, and a sister I probably won't ever see again. Anyhow, I say, the God I've been praying and writing to is a man. And act just like all other mens I know. Trifiling, forgitful, and lowdown".
As her anger towards God heightens Shug Avery begins to explain her ways of religion and how it differs from Celie's, providing evidence to how there is no correct way to worship. On page 195, Shug describes "God is inside you and inside everybody else. You come into the world with God. But only them that search for it inside find it." and "I believe God is everything." Shug sees God as the air, the birds, the sky, the grass, describing a religion known as Pantheism that connects God with the universe.
Shug seems to make up her own religion to make herself feel better about her sinful acts. For example on page 196, Shug tells Celie "God loves everything you love." justifying her adultry and disrespectful acts she performs on a daily basis. The way Shug describes God shows Celie how there is no right way to picture or worship God, that as long as you enjoy things in life you are pleasing God.
Religion is an idea many people take pride in and commit their lives too. In the writings written by Langston Hughes he addresses religion in a light differently than most proud religious individuals. In the poem, "Song of a Dark Girl", he writes, "I asked the white Lord Jesus What was the use of prayer." This symbolizes how in a world full of white men and women discriminating against blacks, this young Negro girl believes her God is also white discriminating against her prayers and feelings. "What was the use of a prayer" is significant because it symbolizes how her prayers do not matter to her "white" Lord Jesus, for they seem like they are never heard.
Religion varies from individual to individual and there is no correct way in worshipping, this theme is used throughout African American Literature from past to present day writings.
In the text, "How It Feels to Be Colored Me”, Zora Hurston refers to the "Great Stuffer of Bags" otherwise, God. "Against a wall in company with other bags, white, red, and yellow. Pour out the contents, and there is discovered a jumble of small things priceless and worthless." This describes how each bag is filled with items of worth and items of junk, and how no matter what the bag looks like on the exterior all that matters is what the contents of the bag has to offer.
This reference relates to how humans, no matter what the exterior may be, all have talents and skills to offer the world. When those talents are placed next to other people's talents when not comparing race they both are of the same value. She describes that "The Great Stuffer of Bags planned it that way." which symbolizes how God places skills and flaws within everyone, regardless of race; and how when they are combined all together they can all be valued as one.
Another way religion is viewed differently is in the novel, "The Color Purple". In this text religion is addressed through many letters written from Celie and the alterations to her religion added in by Shug Avery. At the beginning of this text Celie writes letters to God on a regular basis, creating a relationship with him as she writes of all of her life struggles. As life seems to go downhill for Celie she begins to question her faith, especially after she hears her sister, Nettie, had died on a sinking ship.
On page192, Celie cries out in anger towards God saying, "Yeah, he give me a lynched daddy, a crazy mama, a lowdown dog of a step pa, and a sister I probably won't ever see again. Anyhow, I say, the God I've been praying and writing to is a man. And act just like all other mens I know. Trifiling, forgitful, and lowdown".
As her anger towards God heightens Shug Avery begins to explain her ways of religion and how it differs from Celie's, providing evidence to how there is no correct way to worship. On page 195, Shug describes "God is inside you and inside everybody else. You come into the world with God. But only them that search for it inside find it." and "I believe God is everything." Shug sees God as the air, the birds, the sky, the grass, describing a religion known as Pantheism that connects God with the universe.
Shug seems to make up her own religion to make herself feel better about her sinful acts. For example on page 196, Shug tells Celie "God loves everything you love." justifying her adultry and disrespectful acts she performs on a daily basis. The way Shug describes God shows Celie how there is no right way to picture or worship God, that as long as you enjoy things in life you are pleasing God.
Religion is an idea many people take pride in and commit their lives too. In the writings written by Langston Hughes he addresses religion in a light differently than most proud religious individuals. In the poem, "Song of a Dark Girl", he writes, "I asked the white Lord Jesus What was the use of prayer." This symbolizes how in a world full of white men and women discriminating against blacks, this young Negro girl believes her God is also white discriminating against her prayers and feelings. "What was the use of a prayer" is significant because it symbolizes how her prayers do not matter to her "white" Lord Jesus, for they seem like they are never heard.
Religion varies from individual to individual and there is no correct way in worshipping, this theme is used throughout African American Literature from past to present day writings.