Choosing+a+Genre

The importance of selecting a particular kind of creative writing to narrate a specific history
 * Literary Genres as a Means of Re-examining History **

It is imperative to select a particular kind of creative writing to narrate a specific story because each event in history is unique in itself. Each work has a certain way of delivering the message to the audience and, in order to convey the message(s) properly to the people of interest, choosing the best way to do so is important.


 * Use of a Novel for Historical Literature [[image:Dancing_Cover.jpg width="127" height="190" align="right"]] **

In order to tell the story of Bert Williams and George Walker, in //Dancing in the Dark//, Phillips thought a novel would fit perfectly, which could be agreed upon. In the novel, Phillips was able to produce several things. He was able to use several characters to help narrate the story to deliver the best message to the audience. From multiple characters, readers are provided with multiple rich narrations. The use of a novel provided ample opportunity for Phillips to develop characters and their relationships, as well as to produce internal and external conflict throughout the entire work. From beginning to end, the audience is able to see how each African American had to struggle in //Dancing in the Dark//, and how it either made them stronger or destroyed them. The use of a novel allows the span of decades to pass while the reader follows the lives of the protagonists.

**Use of Plays for Historical Literature **

In order to tell about the hardships of life as an African American, Cleage was absolutely genius to choose plays to relate several stories to the audience. Cleage is able to shed light on the commonalities that were experienced by African Americans all over the country following the days of slavery and Reconstruction, all the way into a more present day that is witnessed in //Chain.// While each play is a brief view of specific characters, the same themes of community, family and spirituality are meshed with the portraits of harsh reality. When these plays are acted out, the audience is "punched" by a quick dose of raw truth. There is no opportunity to mince words or waste time. The author has but a few scenes to illuminate the life of the characters. Cleage does so beautifully.

**A Word on Meta-narratives ** Meta-narratives (stories told to explain or justify other stories) are often overlooked by the unprofessional, but are just as important to literary works as the genre that is chosen to tell a tale. In //Dancing in the Dark//, Caryl Phillips tells the story of Bert Williams partially by referencing true African American experiences throughout history. Bert Williams struggled with the man he knew he was and the man he had to be, according to society. This is a theme that is revisited several times in the novel by looking at the lives of other characters. Phillips includes Williams' (pictured at top of cake on right) participation in //"In Dahomey//" as a key aspect of his novel. This small piece of actual history went a long way to lending credence to Phillips' re-imagined history. Phillips also tells a story of how Bert's father was disappointed, ashamed, angry and disgusted when he saw his son perform in blackface as the lowly, ignorant negro. This explained the depth of despair and shame that Bert Williams himself felt about his life. What constitutes being black? This was a question that was asked many years ago and is stilled pondered today. White America decided what "being black" meant in this country centuries ago and this has left the African American lost and in shambles trying to reconstruct his own identity. For several African Americans, in order to gain fame in the world in which one lives, he nearly has to lose himself and jeopardize family ties or gaining the name “Uncle Tom”. In //Dancing in the Dark//, Phillips references real life situations and makes them credible to his audience.