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Discuss the various major and minor themes of Toni Morrison’s Novel, Jazz.

Jazz is a novel about the African-Americans living in Harlem. As it is a work of African-American


literature the themes of racism and discrimination are central to it. But these are not the only themes in the
novel. There is a network of other minor themes which spreads through the framework of the novel. These
include age versus youth, memory, abandonment, isolation, violence etc.

Toni Morrison’s work deals with the issue of racism in a totally different manner than that of her other
contemporaries. She is a black American, and she is well aware of the pain of being black. She understands
the problems faced by her race-mates in a racially biased community. But unlike her other contemporaries,
she doesn’t base the dilemma of her characters merely in the complexion. She wants her readers to identify
themselves with the characters irrespective of their race, colour and nation.

In Jazz characters like Joe and Violet feel familiar to all mankind. Their problems are not solely based
in race or colour. It’s true that the their misery is rooted in the past and the oppression borne by their
ancestors in the past, But the way Morrison highlights their suffering, places renders them equal to all the
suppressed and tormented people and communities of the world.

Theme of discrimination is also an important one in the novel. The ancestors of Morrison’s characters
suffer due to the segregating comportment of the whites. The descendents of the discriminated race naturally
inherit the detrimental effects of the biased attitude of the oppressors. In Jazz nearly all the main characters
suffer from some sort of psychic problem. For instance Alice Manfred lives in fear of society. She doesn’t
approve of moving about and taking part in parties. She tries to instill her fear into her niece’s mind. She
puts restraints on her by telling her certain terrible things like ‘The Judgment Day’ and the ‘ Deadly Bear’.

Among the other themes in the novel youth versus age is also there. Violet herself, having lost her
husband, though temporarily, to a young girl, yearns to become young. For quite some time we see her make
a deliberate effort to regain her youth. Failing in this she feels dejected at heart.

It is also important to note that Dorcas, with her spry and juvenile demeanor, doesn’t demur from
going ahead and taking her share in the feast of life. She wants to give it a go. Her lively nature makes Joe
fall for her.

However, by the end of the novel, the couple comes to terms with the reality and demands of age. They
realize the importance of each other, and happily anticipate the advent of a new life.

Memory is another major theme in Toni Morrison. The characters in her novels are seen to struggle with
memories of the past. In Jazz characters like Joe, Violet, Alice Manfred and even Dorcas are haunted by the
fearful memories of their earlier lives. Joe is troubled by the absence of his parents who left without a trace.
The reminiscences of Wild also prey on his mind. Violet’s past is also full of pain. Her mother committed
suicide and her family life was traumatized. Dorcas also lost her family in a racial riot. So memory plays on
the minds of Morrison’s characters.

Abandonment makes still another theme in the novel. Joe and Violet live a normal life until Joe goes
astray and abandons his wife. He jilts her for a young girl, Dorcas. The discernment proves too much for
Violet as she is not ready to exonerate the girl even after her death. Alice Manfred is also stung by the agony
of forsakenness. Joe himself finds it hard to get over the gouge of being abandoned by his parents.

Prof. M. Shafique Anjum Dk Page 1


Govt. Post Graduate College, Gojra
Isolation also marks a keynote in the novel. It is also the deep-rooted feeling of utter solitariness that
inclines Joe to look for a young partner in old age. Dorcas, too, is moved by loneliness to seek consolation
from the company of an old man. Besides, Violet’s aimless wandering and sitting in the middle of the street,
ensues from her isolated domestic life.

Violence is still another subject not to be condoned in Jazz. Violence causes Joe to kill Dorcas. Violet
gets the title Violent in the neck of the woods for her bloody invasion at the funeral. Alice’s mind is also full
of rage for her disloyal lover.

Another important issue in Jazz is search for identity. Joe’s search for his mother and Golden Gray’s
search for his father, Hunters’ Hunter, enhances this theme.

To close the discussion, it can be stated that Jazz is a unique piece of art for the complexity and
diversity of its’ themes. It’s a post-modern novel. So, the author is well aware of her cultural responsibilities
and she has worked on the social and cultural themes with matchless ingenuity.

Prof. M. Shafique Anjum Dk Page 2


Govt. Post Graduate College, Gojra

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