Use of Literary Devices to Identify Themes of Racism, Love, Sacrifice (Essay Sample)

Student’s Name
Professor’s Name
Course
Date
Compare and Contrast Essay
Individuals encounter several literary elements in everyday life without realizing it, either through listening carefully to song lyrics, reading a book or reading a poem. The authors of these materials understand that using these elements will enhance the power of their words and their meanings (Fadaee). While different authors may incorporate different literary devices in their works, different authors may incorporate the same elements depending on their contexts. Using literary elements is significant because it demonstrates the similarities and differences of two or more pieces of literature as they unravel the more profound meaning and essence of literary works. Therefore, this paper aims to justify the similarities and differences between Eudora Welty's story titled "A Worn Path" and Langston Hughes's poem titled "Mother to Son" through the use of several literary elements.
Welty’s and Hughes’s pieces of literature are depictions of parenthood. The characters in these two pieces of literature depict the unconditional love of a parent or specifically a mother for their children in different approaches and forms. Both authors can compare and contrast through the use of setting, extended metaphor, symbolism, tone, and narration, thus bringing out various themes such as racism and perseverance.
One of the similarities identified in Welty's and Hughes's works is the use of extended metaphor, which cites social and historical criticism, thus bringing out a shared theme of racism and perseverance. In the early 1940s, racism had infused American society, making inequality unbearable. Americans thought the African Americans were not on the same level as the whites because they were trafficked to the country only to become slaves  (Beutin). As a matter of fact, the whites could not allow the equal rights of the black society, thus demonstrating the dominance of the white race over the black race. Based on the two literary works, white people can climb up a "crystal stair"  (Hughes)and have smooth “paths”  (Welty)- meaning they appreciate a tranquil and easy mount to success. However, black people are forced to