Abstract

LIFE WITHOUT THE PROMISE OF STABILITY;‖ REVISITING TONI MORRISON‘S HOME

Michit T/Mariam, Yifter Meless, Mesafint Muchie

Volume: 9 Issue: 2 2019

Abstract:

Precarity means the lack of social and economic networks; a considerable exposure to danger and harm. Minority groups are precariat for they lack rights and full citizenship. Precarity is related, states Judith Butler, with the individual’s performativity, and his ability to perform his gender role. Toni Morrison continually goes to past to retell the history of African Americans. The issues of race, gender and national identity are recurrent in her work. Reading her book Home (2012) evokes the idea of precarity and performativity since the two main characters, Frank and Cee are precarious character who fail to perform their gender role properly, and eventually are exposed to hazard and harm. This research displays how African American people were precariat during the 1950s. It traces Frank and Cee’s attempts to perform their gender roles to gain recognizability. It shows the failure of precarious people to be recognized in the society that denies Blacks’ rights.

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