Introduction
The short story “The Birmingham Ballad” by Dudley Randall is a powerful piece of literature that describes the events and emotions surrounding the horrific tragedy during the freedom march in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1963. Although the story has only a few verses, it conveys tremendous emotion and communicates a profound message about violence and racism. The theme chosen by the author is revealed in each part of the story and allows us to understand the significance and relevance of this issue in today’s society.
Exploration of the Theme Throughout the Plot
The first part of the story presents a mother who denies her child the opportunity to march for freedom. She fears that the violence and brutality that may occur during the march may harm her child (Poetry Foundation). This part shows how racism and violence penetrate the very depths of family relationships and force the mother to deny her child the fulfillment of her aspirations for freedom and equality.
The second part of the story describes the child’s decision to go to the march despite the mother’s prohibition (Poetry Foundation). She is confident that other children will march with her, and together, they can make their country accessible. This part emphasizes the child’s courage, determination, and belief in the power of collective action and unification (Carter).
The third part of the story is the most tragic. The mother learns of the explosion and runs through the streets of Birmingham, looking for her child. Her despair and fear are described through images of broken glass and scraps of bricks (Poetry Foundation). When she finds one of her baby’s shoes, she realizes that she has lost her baby. This part of the story conveys the helplessness and bitterness associated with violence and racism.
Application of the Theme to Real-World Issues
The author has chosen a highly relevant and deeply rooted topic in today’s society. Racism and violence still exist in different forms and manifestations in our lives. Dudley Randall’s short story serves as a reminder of the need to fight against these issues and that they can have disastrous consequences (Gates Jr.). In the development of the characters in the story, one can see the evolution of the mother’s thinking and behavior.
At first, she forbids her child from marching for fear of violence. However, after the tragic loss of her child, she realizes that it is necessary to fight for freedom and equality and that violence and racism should not go unresolved (Carter). This character development shows that even in the most challenging situations, people can change their outlook and actively support freedom and justice.
The narrative structure in a short story is very effective. It allows the author to convey the emotion and message of the story with a minimum number of words. Each part of the story has its role in conveying the theme and creating an emotional impact on the reader. The language used in the story is straightforward and concise. It emphasizes the depth of emotion and thought simplicity, making it more accessible and understandable to a broad audience (Carter). Using imagery and symbols, such as the child’s shoes, glass, and bricks, adds extra power and emotional tension to the story (Carter).
The theme in the story “The Birmingham Ballad” is closely related to today’s society and social issues. Racism and violence still exist in different forms, and we must actively fight against them. The story reminds us of the importance of unity and solidarity in the struggle for freedom and equality (Gates Jr.). It also encourages us to consider our role in creating a just and safe society.
Conclusion
To sum up, Dudley Randall’s The Birmingham Ballad is a potent work of writing that highlights the themes of racism and violence. The author uses narrative structure, character development, and language to convey the emotion and message of the story. The theme relates to modern society and social issues and reminds us to be proactive against violence and racism.
Works Cited
Carter, Linda M. “Ballad of Birmingham.” Masterplots II: Poetry, Revised Edition. 2002, pp. 1-2. EBSCOhost. Web.
Gates Jr., Henry Louis. “The History and Importance of the Black Church.” Harvard Gazette. 2021. Web.
Poetry Foundation. “Ballad of Birmingham.” Poetry Foundation, 2019. Web.