Nicholas Carle Mrs. Gardner English 10 HON, 1. 19 November 2013 Seeking the Meaning of Life Bianco, David.

Middle Passage: Contemporary Black Biography. Washington: University of Washington Department of English, 1992. Print.

Johnson was interested in cultural naturalism and decided to express his ideas through his writing. He wrote fiction humorously regarding important topics which made his writing more appealing to his audience. Inspired by many other black American writers, Johnson attempted to expose many philosophical issues regarding racism in society within his writing.

Biancos biography on Johnson revealed his great achievements as a writer. Johnson admired many writers; consequently he decided his purpose in life was to be a writer. He wrote fiction based on events from the past, often in a humorous tone. His opinions towards society are found in many themes in his writing, which were relevant to the real world. Consequently, the complexity found in Johnsons writing persuaded many of his reader to agree with his opinions.

Keneally, Mark. Middle Passage: Misadventures in the Slave Trade. New York Times, 1990. Print.

Keneally reviews Johnsons writing as being honorable and precise to where even though he writes fiction, it is so engrossing and relevant that it takes over the readers mind. Johnsons heroic story constantly questions society unfair treatment. For example the ship is referred to as the Republic which relate to the shipmates power over the tortured underclass blacks aboard on the ship. Furthermore, Keneally commends Johnsons for writing in the perspective of a freed black slave because the reader feels greater sorrow for a historical event that was so relevant to society.

Keneally evaluates the complexity of Johnsons writing through his use of deeper meaning within the text engaging the reader. Johnsons book portrays a sorrow tone revealing the unfair cruel treatment society forced upon the blacks. Ultimately, Keneally precisely evaluates Johnson novels alluding to the text resulting in a clear complex understanding of the novel.

McWilliams, Jim. Middle Passage: Passing the Three Gates. Washington: University of Washington Press, 2005. Print.

Johnsons intriguing complex way of writing fiction, express many themes including culture, race, and spirituality. McWilliams suggests that Johnson brings us back to a time period where there was a significant issue which later was resolved, so that we can fix these issues before we regret the harm they have done. His effective way of writing has made him one the greatest American Writers of his time and his opinions have largely influenced many of his followers.

McWilliams use precise diction regarding Johnsons life as a writer, as well as his unique style of writing fiction. Johnson reveals his opinions in his writing while using coherent and complex ideas in order to develop a novel with a greater impact on its readers. McWilliams article remains effective regarding Johnsons views on cultural debates because it creates a better understanding of the author and the complexity he used within his writing.

Muther, Elizabeth. Middle Passage: Isadora at Sea. Missouri: St Louis University, 1996. Print.

Muther refers to Johnsons vivid descriptions describing Rutherford the protagonist as trying to escape the confinement of society because of his race. Rutherfords attempt to escape getting blackmailed into Isadora emphasizes Johnsons purpose of revealing, the crisis of family, gender, and destiny. He uses these themes to enhance the idea of a classic male journey which Johnson uses to design the context of Rutherfords Journey.

Muther alludes to Johnsons vivid setting description of the open sea in order to emphasize Rutherford eagerness to discover his purpose in society. The precise use of context in his article for example far-flung port (4) reveal societies hatred towards blacks, where even if you were a freed slave you could never escape racism in society. Muther clarifies the themes in Middle Passage relating to racism, ultimately giving the reader a better understanding of Johnsons opinions regarding our racist society.

Palencia, Rachel. Middle Passage: Demythifying Melville. Illinois: Wesleyan University, 1994. Print.

Johnson attempts to reveal his identity as a black American writer by critiquing societys racist attitudes toward black Americans. Influenced by many other black writers of his time, Johnson constructs an alternate view on Americas society through the perspective of a freed black slave. Rutherford Calhoun, the main character of the novel, seeks his role in society in a forgiving journey which reveals our society racist aspects towards blacks.

In Palencia article, she enhances Johnsons purpose of his writing suggesting society doesnt except blacks, forcing them to search for their identity. Palencia points out Rutherfords careless self consequently changing as he realized societys unfairness and cruelty towards Blacks. Ultimately Johnson attempts to reveal his identity as an American writer, by influencing his opinions to others justifying Black Americans rights.

Steinberg, Marc. Middle Passage: Fictionalizing History and Historicizing Fiction. Texas: University of Texas Press. 2003. Print.

Steinberg refers to Johnsons themes in his writing including slavery, freedom, and the stereotyped black men and women. He commends Johnsons writing for twisting a tragic historical event into a story of thematic fiction constantly critiquing the way society treats the black race. Johnsons radical way of rewriting slave narratives by adding a fiction

twist makes his writing more appealing to readers, while still allowing his opinions to be expressed.

Steinberg uses complex diction regarding Johnsons novel explaining the themes he uses in depth. In his article he repetitively contradicts whether Johnson writes based on reality or entirely fiction, by supporting both sides with insightful evidence from the book. While Johnson writes using both aspects, his opinions regarding racism are represented by the protagonist who pursues many aspects of racism in order to find his identity. Steinbergs complexity in his article ultimately reveals the complexity of the book and clarifies Johnsons purpose as a writer.