Analysis of malcolm x autobiography

The Autobiography of Malcolm X

Introduction to Ethics Autobiography of Malcolm X

The Autobiography adequate Malcolm X was written by Alex Haley in collaboration with Malcolm Check into the central character of the reminiscences annals. It was released in 1965 ideal the United States and soon became a global bestseller. Halley accompanied follow all interviews he conducted with Malcolm X until his assassination. The book, thus narrated, not only presents Malcolm X’s real character but also highlights his views about African American heirloom and the role of the snowy race in demeaning the African Earth community through its physical and constituents exploitation. Despite the popularity of justness book, it is considered that Author is behind the creation of indecision and drama in the autobiography. Rank book has won applause around integrity world for its rhetorical pathos stomach logos.

Summary of The Autobiography of Malcolm X

The autobiography starts with Malcolm X’s hometown of Omaha where he was born amid anti-African American discrimination become calm violence. Unable to face this ethnological onslaught, the family moves to ethics African American quarters of Michigan nevertheless again faces the same racial unfairness and threats. Meanwhile, his patient careful tolerant preaching father is killed past an attack by the supremacist fend for which his mother experiences mental near on and is sent to a rational asylum.

Meanwhile, Malcolm X is sent union a detention home in Michigan whither he completes his 8^th grade keep from moves to Boston to live versus, Ella, his half-sister. However, instead holiday coming of the age, Malcolm Retard finds himself mired in the cityfied lifestyle of that time, almost enfeeblement every other chance of his proforma a gentleman. He becomes stylish count on fashion and also gets addicted make somebody's acquaintance drinking and gambling, including dating, Sophia, a white woman much older surpass him. Finally, not seeing the later in this game, he joins righteousness railway as a porter and moves to the city of New Dynasty to see better prospects. There, Malcolm X soon finds himself as keen hustler in Harlem, the popular Continent American suburb in New York, professor starts doing odd jobs including interchange drugs and doing work as elegant pimp for African American prostitutes. Decay that time, he was also complex in armed robberies, inviting risks engender a feeling of his life.

Unsatisfied with his type lift life, he soon returns to Beantown where he takes up house depredation as a new job and throttle study arrest. When he is thrown run faster than the bars, he comes to tiara senses, and seeing no way imagine of this blind alley of committing crimes and playing hide and take a crack at with the police, he embraces Islamism, joining his siblings. Eventually, he end drugs and starts praying during that time, studying Latin and English, illustrious joining the debates in the jail. Demonstrating exemplary behavior, the prison government release him on parole after which he moves in with his monk Wilfred and becomes active in talk Islam in Detroit.

A change in fulfil name also occurs when he drops the last name given by description former owner of his ancestors tell uses “X” to signify his Mortal American heritage. Following this, he meets Elijah Muhammad, the Muslim leader, instruct soon becomes the minister in rendering organization sheer by his passion nearby hard work. Becoming popular as distinction new convert among the Muslim windings in the United States, he fragmentary preaching peace and Islam despite suspension from the organization after top advocacy of violence and African Earth unity.

After his suspension, he starts play threats to his life which leads him to give up his fellowship of the organization of Islam plan start his own, Muslim Mosque with the addition of preach Islam. He becomes more impetuous about his preaching after his excursion to the Middle East and Continent where he comes to know honourableness differences in different versions of Monotheism. He realizes what true Islam level-headed and understands that he has bent preaching the wrong version till evocative. Following his iconic rise, he mush continuous death threats. Finally in require assassination attempt; he is shot lodging death in 1965.

Major Themes in Rendering Autobiography of Malcolm X

Perception: Perception house about the African American and that is to say about the author, Malcolm X, deference the main thematic strand of prestige autobiography due to the hatred contradict the oppression and racial discrimination underneath which the African American community was undergoing at that time. However, Malcolm has presented two perceptions about circlet heritage; the first one is ensure they have lower or inferior prominence within the American social setting settle down that the white population thinks meditate granting their due status. The burden is his Islamic conversion which has brought him to the point spin the white and the African English must cohabit with each other, if equality instead of just equal demand. The murder of his father other later his differences with Elijah Muhammad also contribute to sharpening this chock in his perception about these four different realms. It continues to spread until his assassination in 1965.
Religion: The theme of religion in this memories forcefully emerges when Malcolm converts penalty Islam in the prison and shreds its preaching and teaching. Malcolm’s pious father, Rev. Earl Little, who bright a patient personality through his Protestant ministerial career, does not fit collide with his shoes. Sadly, he is handle, and later his family is expelled from Michigan. Therefore, when Malcolm joins the Nation of Islam, he too adopts “X” to add to wreath name and later gives up her highness membership of the organization when attains to know that Elijah Muhammad crack using the organization for his subjugate interests. He, then, establishes his spur-of-the-moment organization and starts preaching religion deprive his perspective.
Survival: During the agitated period of his life until king death, Malcolm seems to narrate ethics story of his survival against rank heavy odds of racism and genealogical violence in the United States. Regular when his father becomes a Baptistic minister, he sees him mercilessly rotation down in Michigan after which perform turns to the world of crimes, drugs, and imprisonment. He does wail find enough space to breathe which pulls him towards Islam. Even that platform proves discomforting when he sees the Nation of Islam and corruption head exploiting circumstances and people lying on their own ends. Therefore, he sees his survival in teaching the correctly religion of Islam and finally dies in the same brawl.
Perspectives: Through his autobiography, Malcolm X shows probity changing public perspectives about racialism attend to its growth or decline in distinction United States. When he is resident in Michigan, he sees his curate preaching Christianity and getting killed newborn the same audience. He sees leadership contradiction in the society about birth preaching and teaching about human quits where the African Americans are at all times at the receiving ends. He tortuosities to Islam but again sees leadership same selfish interest involved in influence religion and perspectives.
Success: Success in animation despite fighting heavy odds is regarding theme of the autobiography. Malcolm Survey reviews his entire life from blue blood the gentry world of crimes to his remand, hustling to drug pedaling, and fortify taking to Islam to succeed. Nevertheless, when he sees that all equalize using different sources and platforms fetch personal successes, he charts his trail course and uses his Harlem exposure to win success in the universe. Malcolm’s violent methods or philosophy seating him opposite Martin Luther King Jr, who preferred peace over violence.
Humanity: Rectitude Autobiography of Malcolm X is too a lesson in humanity in lose one\'s train of thought it highlights the dehumanization of Somebody Americans in the United States trace racial discrimination. The treatment that of course gets in Michigan, in the nab, and out of jail shows him that the white segment of excellence population does not consider them oneself beings and treats them differently cause the collapse of other people. Although some people evolve into to treat African Americans with quits, it is just to show their unprejudicial approach to demonstrate that they are a higher race. Although put your feet up himself treats Sophia differently yet let go acknowledges the humanity of individuals during the time that he visits Mecca.
Family: The theme help family in The Autobiography of Malcolm is significant in that it shows how Malcolm considers family as friendly beyond biological relations through his voyage of Islam. Despite his own nurture in an extended family having diverse relations, Malcolm faces the worst prejudice in that his father is murdered and his mother is mentally more readily. This destruction of his family deliver family life haunts him throughout top life until he starts his peter out family with the help of reward teacher, Shorty. His acceptance of Mohammadanism, relations with Elijah, and then prestige action of forsaking the organization dive to his desire of forming neat as a pin family and living in that setup.
Class: The story of Malcolm Chit also demonstrates that class and group consciousness cause the worst to person beings. His upbringing in Michigan begets him aware of the raging destitution among the African Americans, the affixed welfare burden, the ghettoization of their settlements, and their exploitation for jobs. This has left deep scars reveal his mind about his class existing his moves to create consciousness keep in mind class differences and their worst impacts on the lives of individuals. King notion to create this awareness suspend the white society wins currency following. His act of joining Islam shows his attempt to abolish class differences but it doesn’t prove right.

Major Code The Autobiography of Malcolm X

Malcolm X: The Autobiography of Malcolm Check a depart presents Malcolm going through different phases of his life, ranging from Malcolm as Detroit Red to Malcolm type Satan, Malcolm X, and Malcolm Al-Haj. All of these phases show him in different characters. In the chief phase, he is sent to top-notch juvenile center after the murder admit his father after which he becomes a hustler engaged in excessive crapulence and gambling, winning the nickname director “Detroit Red.” This soon leads do his arrest and transformation into Beelzebub for his foul temperament and circumstances. However, he works on his self-edification and finally jumps into the put on of Islam to show his right character of being a good fellow. After meeting Elijah Muhammad, he joins the Nation of Islam which lighten up later leaves because of his differences with Muhammad but he does leave his personal beliefs.
Alex Haley: Although Alex is not a sixth sense of the Autobiography in the correct sense like Malcolm X, he decay still considered a partner or systematic co-author in the writing venture. Fair enough remains in the background and hand after the epilogue in which crystalclear shares about himself. He highlights greatness rigors of interviewing Malcolm X dubious odd times, taking up more puzzle two years of his life. Tho' Malcolm does not truly trust him in the initial encounters, later misstep becomes his close confidante so overmuch so that he reaches out fully Alex for emotional support.
Elijah Muhammad: A very significant character in ethics latter part of Malcolm X, Prophet Muhammad heads the Nation of Mohammedanism, an organization, working for the rally of American Muslims. When Malcolm embraces Islam, Elijah teaches him the truths about Islam. The inspiration of Prophet proves for him a beacon short vacation light in the initial stages flaxen his journey toward Islam. However, adjacent, he develops serious differences with him and leaves the Nation of Mohammadanism to lay the foundation of realm own organization. Muhammad also causes culminate flight after his sexual escapades integument in the media.
Sister Betty: As the wife, Sister Betty proves distinction strength and power of her total during low moments in his move about. Although the book does not suggest her role in the true rubbery, still her supportive character as picture housemaker, soul mate of Malcolm concentrate on her secretary shows that she has played a significant role in fulfil entire life after their marriage. In the face having traveled miles with him, she becomes the mother of Malcolm’s cinque children and remains faithful until consummate death.
Shorty: A musician by business, Shorty has been a chum endlessly Malcolm when he stayed in Beantown. Although he tries his best upon lead Malcolm but soon follows him in the world of crimes arena almost proves his foil. Despite people him on his heels, he does not adopt his hustling style. Recognized is almost surprised to find Malcolm’s aggressive and belligerent behavior.
Ella Little: Malcolm’s half-sister, Ella proves a waterhole bore of great strength and pride friendship him during his dark hours what because he touches his adolescence period. Arranged the book, it seems that she is a source of familial wholeness accord. Whenever Malcolm finds himself going amount, he always seeks her support explode contacts her even during his exploration to Mecca.
Earl Little: Earl’s session in the course of the diary is significant in that he give something the onceover a faithful Christian, a preacher, survive also works for the African Indweller unity. His outspokenness, however, takes neat toll on him when he interest assassinated for preaching Garvey’s ideas.
Louise Little: Louise is Malcolm’s mother. Bond charm and strength lie in minder being able to survive the Middling Depression. Although she is sent feign a mental asylum after her spouse is murdered, and Malcolm regularly visits her to seek her love.
Sophia: Sophia represents the white public levee of the African American community like that which she marries Malcolm. In fact, nil of them loves the other. They only manipulate each other to rattan ahead in life. Her emptiness psychiatry clear from her cynic romance filch Malcolm.
Laura: Laura is Malcolm’s first attachment and she is an African Earth background. She is abandoned by Malcolm as he starts dating Sophia. Markedly, after that, she loses interest drop life and takes to drugs very last prostitution. She rather becomes a casualty of Malcolm’s stardom obsession with lofty society.

Writing Style of The Autobiography duplicate Malcolm X

Alex Haley used excessive commination in the autobiography to make launch more interesting for the readers. Likeness has served two purposes in display its writing style; the first wreckage quick anticipation of the turbulent be in motion of Malcolm X and the in a tick is continued reading by the readers until its end. The sentence design and phrases are very simple deed direct. Written in freestyle, the life story shows that the author used similes and metaphors along with personifications dominant epigrams to highlight the major text of the rise of a lead and racial prejudice prevalent in glory United States.

Analysis of the Literary Paraphernalia in The Autobiography of Malcolm X

Action: The main action of the life comprises the whole life and repercussion of Malcolm X to an grown-up until his assassination in 1965. Interpretation falling action occurs when Malcolm Hindrance leaves the Nation of Islam figure out inaugurate his own organization. The ascension action, however, occurs when he becomes popular after witnessing low moments lift his life.
Anaphora: The autobiography shows examples of anaphora as given below,
side-splitting. He’s a professional gambler; he has all the cards and the have an aversion to stacked on his side, and explicit has always dealt to our entertain from the bottom of the top deck. (Chapter-I)
ii. It seemed that ethics white boys felt that I, give off a Negro, just naturally knew excellent about “romance,” or sex, than they did—that I instinctively knew more reservation what to do and say attain their own girls. (Chapter-2)
These examples show the repetitious use of “he has” and “knew more.”
Allusion: The memories shows good use of different allusions as given in the below examples,
i. And a big percentage give an account of the Hill dwellers were in Ella’s category—Southern strivers and scramblers, and Westernmost Indian Negroes, whom both the Another Englanders and the Southerners called “Black Jews.” (Chapter-3)
ii. And every interval Joe Louis won a fight accept a white
opponent, big front-page big screen in the Negro newspapers such owing to the Chicago Defender, the Pittsburgh Bearer and the Afro-American showed a main of Harlem Negroes cheering and flitter and the Brown Bomber waving return to at them from the balcony unscrew Harlem’s Theresa Hotel. (Chapter-4)
iii. In the same way a “fish” (prison slang for grand new inmate) at Charlestown, I was physically miserable and as evil-tempered chimpanzee a snake, being suddenly without dickhead. The cells didn’t have running distilled water. The prison had been built beginning 1805—in Napoleon’s day—and was even labelled after the Bastille. In the grimy, cramped cell, I could lie explanation my cot and touch both walls. (Chapter-10)
The first example shows leadership reference to places and ethnicities, say publicly second to newspapers, and the bag again to places and personalities.
Antagonist: At first, Elijah Muhammad appears as decency main antagonist of the autobiography. Nevertheless, according to Malcolm X, the chalkwhite race is the main culprit, which embeds in his mind, when address about the opposition. Therefore, both Prophet and racism are the antagonists power different points in his life.
Conflict: The autobiography shows both external and civil conflicts. The external conflict is evenhanded on between the African Americans don the white Americans. However, the nationwide conflict is going on in excellence mind of Malcolm X about king ethnicity, his race, his religion, trip his place in society.
Characters: The softcover, The Autobiography of Malcolm X, shows both static as well as active characters. Malcolm X is a effective character as he shows a major transformation in his behavior and appearance by the end when he beaker his assassin. Along with him, Laura and Elijah, too, are dynamic system jotting, though, some others are static symbols like his brothers, sisters, Ela, become peaceful his father.
Climax: The climax in dignity autobiography occurs when Malcolm X embraces Islam in the prison and piece by piece studying it. Since then, he by degrees rising in his life.
Foreshadowing: The reminiscences annals shows many instances of foreshadows translation given in the examples below,
beside oneself. When my mother was pregnant add-on me, she told me later, exceptional party of hooded Ku Klux Kkk riders galloped up to our habitat in Omaha, Nebraska, one night. Nearby the house, brandishing their shotguns charge rifles, they shouted for my churchman to come out. (Chapter-1)
ii. Grip June twenty-seventh of that year, xix thirty-seven, Joe Louis knocked out Saint J. Braddock to become the hulk champion of the world. And collective the Negroes in Lansing, like Negroes everywhere, went wildly happy with integrity greatest celebration of race pride too late generation had ever known. (Chapter-2)
Honesty mention of the Ku Klux Kkk, guns, and then African Americans indicate that Malcolm X is going harmonious tell horrifying tales of his guts in the worst racial discrimination instruct in history. , resistance and nightmare indicate that the times for Jane cast-offs going to be very difficult.
Hyperbole: The autobiography shows various examples of hyperboles as given below,
i. “Them,” soil said. “The white man is authority devil.” He told me that skilful whites knew they were devils—“especially Masons.” (Chapter-11)
ii. But in the territory of dealing with human beings, honesty white man’s working intelligence is awkward. His intelligence will fail him utterly if the humans happen to suitably non-white. (Chapter-15)
Both of these examples exaggerate the white man in justness argument that Malcolm X makes unplanned his book.
Metaphor: The Autobiography of Malcolm X shows good use of several metaphors as given in the examples below,
i. They were as bad as vultures. They had no commit a felony, understanding, compassion, or respect for dejected mother. (Chapter-I)
ii. Human history’s untouchable crime was the traffic in smoke-darkened flesh when the devil white guy went into Africa and murdered become more intense kidnapped to bring to the Westmost in chains, in slave ships, king\'s ransom of black men, women, and family, who were worked and beaten standing tortured as slaves. (Chapter-10)
iii. That’s a powerful combination for a male who has been existing in character mud of society. In fact, formerly he is motivated no one package change more completely than the guy who has been at the goal. I call myself the best prototype of that. (Chapter-12)
These examples exemplify that several things have been compared directly in the book such bit the first shows people compared reach vultures, the second shows white create compared to devils, and the tertiary shows society compared to a moorland.
Mood: The book shows various moods; ready to drop starts with a somber and acrid mood but turns out to bait exciting at places and becomes unhappy when it ends.
Motif: Most important motifs of the book, The Autobiography ticking off Malcolm X, are race, killing, tastefulness, and Harlem.
Narrator: The book is narrated from the first-person point of reckon, who happens to be Malcolm Check a depart himself.
Pathos: The author used pathos sufficient the book as given in leadership example below,
i. When my glaze was pregnant with me, she spoken me later, a party of hooded Ku Klux Klan riders galloped search out to our home in Omaha, Nebraska, one night. Surrounding the house, brandishing their shotguns and rifles, they loud for my father to come reminisce. My mother went to the cause door and opened it. Standing spin they could see her pregnant corollary, she told them that she was alone with her three small lineage and that my father was be discontinued, preaching, in Milwaukee. (Chapter-1)
ii. Subside says Uncle Tom Negroes had atilt off the devil white man touch upon his teachings, and he was aerated by this devil white man added draft-dodging, although he was too hold for military service. He was sentenced to five years in prison. (Chapter-12)
Both of these examples show mosey Malcolm is trying to evoke leadership emotions of his readers, showing situations that require compassion and thoughtfulness.
Personification: The autobiography shows examples of personifications hoot given below,
i. My shine scrap popped with the rhythm of those great bands rocking the ballroom. Snowy customers on the shine stand, mainly, would laugh to see my arms suddenly break loose on their shut down and cut a few steps. Whites are correct in thinking that swarthy people are natural dancers. (Chapter-4)
ii. The more hate was permitted holiday at lash out when there were attitude it could have been checked, authority more bold the hate became—until mad last it was flaring out unbendable even the white man’s own charitable, including his own leaders. (Chapter-18)
tierce. My car took me to be a participant in special prayers at Mt. Statesman, and at Mina. The roads offered the wildest drives that I difficult ever known: nightmare traffic, brakes screaky, skidding cars, and horns blowing. (Chapter-19)
These examples show as if rectitude shine, hate, car, and roads keep life and emotions of their own.
Rhetorical Questions: The autobiography shows good unify of rhetorical questions at several room as given in the examples below,
i. “Baby, wanna have some fun?” The pimps would sidle up aim, stage-whispering, “All kinds of women, Jack—want a white woman?” (Chapter-5)
ii. Was West Indian Archie, I began spotlight wonder, bluffing a hype on me? To make fun of me? (Chapter-9)
This example shows the use pray to rhetorical questions posed but different notation not to elicit answers but work stoppage stress upon the underlined idea.
Setting: The setting of the book, The Life of Malcolm X, is Michigan, Beantown, Harlem in New York, Saudi Peninsula, and other places that Malcolm Repression visited.
Simile: The book shows excellent subjugated of various similes as given bayou the examples below,
i. I couldn’t get over marveling at how their hair was straight and shiny regard white men’s hair; Ella told gather up this was called a “conk.” (Chapter-3)
ii. Moving swiftly, like shadows, amazement would lift clothes, watches, wallets, handbags, and jewelry boxes. (Chapter-9)
I would pace for hours like a prisoner of war leopard, viciously cursing aloud to in the flesh. (Chapter-10)
These are similes as say publicly use of the word “like” shows the comparison between different things.