Womanism as a Model for Blacks’ social changes in August Wilson’s plays

Abstract

Abstract: This study of four plays of August Wilson is based on Alice Walker’s concept of Womanish. These plays are Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, Gem of the Ocean and The Piano Lesson. Black Women characters use different tools to help their community in their fight for the recognition of their real identity and place in America. Characters such as Ma Rainey, Aunt Esther, Berniece and Martha Loomis struggle for their community’s economic independence and the respect of their own sexual life by breaking established rules. They also use the concept of mothering to integrate their Black fellow in the American society. These same characters exploit religion and spirituality to save their community and wash they souls. Keywords: Womanism, Black, fight, American Society