Colorism, also known as prejudice or racism, is when people are treated differently because of their skin color. This can be a result of cultural differences. In the concept “race”, there are many different races. The Wife of His Youth, by Charles W. Chesnutt reveals that racism is a real thing and has been throughout history. The main character in the piece is Mr. Ryder. He is a man who was highly revered by his society, and he called the Blue Veins Society. The Blue Vein Society consisted of colored people who wanted to maintain and establish correct social standards for those with lower socio-economic status. The Wife of His Youth (1899) explores color prejudice between races and among African Americans in a way that is reminiscent of George W. Cable. Charles W. Chesnutt, born June 20,1858 in Cleveland Ohio to parents who were free blacks. In 1866 the family relocated to Fayetteville in North Carolina to open a supermarket. Chesnutt experienced the rise and decline of segregation and reconstruction in the South through his education and time spent there. His future writings reflect his keen interest in reading and observing the people of that time and their socio-political environment. Chesnutt shows in “The Wife of His Youth”, how socioeconomic class was used to make one pass as White while hiding the truth of their counterparts of a lighter complexion.
Charles Chesnutt’s “The Wife of His Youth”, is the story of Mr. Ryder. He is the protagonist of Charles Chesnutt’s book. He is about to marry a mulatto girl with a lighter tone, but a woman of a darker complexion comes to him looking for her missing husband. The story has been read as a critique of race relations. Mr. Ryder may dream of being white, yet he appears to accept his identity as a black person and the rich history of African Americans. However, some have called the ending ambiguous.
The short length of this piece made it easy to read. It was a very interesting read. The Wife of His Youth & Other Stories of the Color Line, published in 1899, was the first time it appeared. Although the story was published a few years ago, it still has relevance today. After reading along with the story today’s race relations in black communities began to pop up. Discord in the Black Community has grown even more. It is not just the socioeconomic differences that have caused a lack of unity. Chesnutt’s story is about racial discord, and he wants to show his readers that in order for the black community to move forward, they must unite regardless of any skin-tone prejudice.
Chesnutt’s characters, tones, structures, and historical context are all examined in a critical analysis. Many times, critics have discussed how Chesnutt challenges the societal assumptions that are created by segregation. Positive reviews were given to Chesnutt’s piece of literature. Walter Hines Page was contacted by Chesnutt after receiving many compliments. William Dean Howells, a critic who wrote a review later on, praised Chesnutt. Howell was astonished by the characteristics of the main protagonist. During this century, “The Wife of His Youth”, Chesnutt’s best-loved collection of short stories, was the “Wife of His Youth”. Chesnutt’s piece of literature, to my mind, reflects the times. Chesnutt’s literary piece was amazing. Chesnutt explored middle-class Blacks in North America and their complex cultural and social lives.
Charles Chesnutts collection nine short stories is the first black work to be read by the white world of literature. He examines the psychological, sociological, and racial effects of Jim Crow laws in black, mixed-race, and white communities. Chesnutt describes the struggle of blacks to find their identity during the turbulent period between the Civil War, and the turn-of-the century. The story is told by mulattos, rising black middle class, and freed slaves. His themes portray the tensions that still exist today in inter-racial relationships. Chesnutt uses his literary work to give a view of the social and racial problems that Southern whites as well as blacks are facing. Chesnutt’s literature is well known because it shows the social tensions of that time.