Race and Gender in Black Life: Highlighting Conflict and Resistance in Mules and Men

Abstract

The present research is an attempt to explore the conflict and resistance between black and white men and women through the folktales with reference to Hurston's Mules and Men. It also highlights the theme of slavery and freedom, gender in aattempt to dramatize resistance on the parts of African- American through folktales. In this process, I have tried to define racism, gender, their historical development and how they affect lives of both black and white in the course of social dealing. It has also tried to explore how continuing role folktales play in black people's struggles with economic and racial oppression. The research also explores how folklore functions in conflict between men and women, showing both how men use folktales to reinforce and legitimate oppression of women and how women use them to fight against a subservient role and asset their power.