Rehabilitation in African American Fiction: A Study of Langston Hughes’ Something in Common and Other Stories

Abstract

This paper explores the concept of sociocultural, moral, and religious rehabilitation in Langston Hughes’ Something in Common and Other Stories. It traces the evolution of rehabilitation in African American literature from the first reconstruction era (1865-1920) to the third reconstruction period (21st century). After slavery in the United States, the country moved to reconstruction, where Blacks were regarded as “the new Negro.” The old Negro was a slave, but the new Negro had to undergo rehabilitation. Thus, formerly enslaved Black people were integrated into the society as free citizens. Many schools were established for Black children and adults. Most Blacks could vote and take part in political positions. Throughout American history, Black Americans have undergone various forms of rehabilitation connected to self-recovery, self-representation, self-healing, and the ongoing pursuit of identity. In twenty first-century America, many African Americans are labelled as criminals due to political factors that have led to a disproportionate number of Blacks being incarcerated. They are frequently regarded as criminals in a nation where the criminal justice system and practices have often targeted Black communities more harshly than other communities. This paper poses a critical question: How do African American writers contribute to reducing crime within their societies?  By employing African American literary theory as a critical framework, it is hypothesised that cultural didacticism through rehabilitation can empower African Americans to desist from criminal behaviour. The findings indicate that correctional rehabilitation, as an alternative to imprisonment, reduces crime among Black individuals. Characters in the selected stories inculcate social and moral values such as self-worth, self-respect, self-sufficiency, sound decision-making, and integrity. Moreover, some of the characters challenge issues that perpetrate division based on race, ethnicity, and nationality, and engage in narrative and musical therapy.