Stereotypes In 'I M Am' By Richard Connell

There is not one single person in this world who does not fit into a stereotype. Whether it is a mean wealthy person, a popular cheerleader, or a “large and in charge” black woman. While we in the modern century do our best to avoid these preconceived ideas about a human being’s existence, it can sometimes be too hard not to indulge in them. Literature constantly shows examples of these stereotypes. Authors often create flat or stereotypical characters to create relatability between the readers and characters. However, these traits are frequently subtle, as the authors create the character’s persona through indirect characterization. The author can create a character that we already know by just using a simple sentence through the projection of a situation, an action, dialogue, etc. By using indirect characterization, authors can feed into our perception of stereotypes. Luella Bates Washington Jones is a main character in the story “Thank You m’am”. The author creates a change in how she is viewed through indirect characterization in her actions. Hughes creates a setting that practically screams out “I AM A STEREOTYPE”. The story takes place in an urban town, where a
“The first thing Rainsford's eyes discerned was the largest man Rainsford had ever seen--a gigantic creature, solidly made and black bearded to the waist” (Connell 4) Connell uses such descriptive imagery to create a character that the reader could only assume to be one thing, a body guard. Bodyguards are constantly portrayed as being huge, undomesticated men with mean eyes. This specific character is a “Cossack”, and is ready to kill or be killed for his master at any given moment. The protagonist sees this character once he gets washed up onto a cruel hunter’s island, and is seeking shelter. Based on all of these examples, it is clear that authors use stereotypes to enhance their