The Saga of a Black in Colson Whiteheads Sag Harbor

Name of Author : R. Sangeetha, Dr. S. Florence

Abstract: This paper focuses on Colson Whiteheads Sag Harbor which details a new generation of wealthy young blacks. It is the story of Benji Cooper, who is the main character of this novel. He spends the summer with his brother, Reggie in a black neighborhood of his white close-knit town. Set in 1985, the novel touches on themes of race, class, and commercial culture. Colson Whitehead takes a different way in writing Sag Harbor, named after the town where he vacationed with his family. When his parents come to Sag Harbor one weekend, his fathers drinking and verbal abuse disturbs the entire family. Benji is able to relieve his stress about his father with music that makes him feel free and confident. The Sag port still exists as post-psychological meta-fiction as it critically scrutinizes racial symbolic discourses that deeply affect the lives of a group of African – American youth during a Long Island summer. Towards the end of the novel, the major protagonist, Benji looks forward for a bright future with high hope and confidence.

Keywords : Culture, Race, African-American Youth, Summer Adventure, Long Island.

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