As you read your novel, look for some of the characteristics of Black Literature: 1. Concern with identity. Characters in Black literature often struggle with who they are, who they should be and where they belong in society. Look for examples of this as you read. 2. Concern with position in the dominant society. “Raisin in the Sun,” is a sterling example. Issues of marginalization are common. Look for some examples of this as you read. 3. Use of the colorful, creative language of the African-American culture. The music of language, the free form structure of jazz, the rhythm of the Blues, Hip Hop, and Rap...the unique flow of sentence structure, allusions or songs, dialect, syntax, narrative structure, etc. breathes life in these works. Look for examples of this. 4. Use of religious imagery, settings and the dominance of the black church in the Southern black community (or in a "higher spiritual purpose"). 5. Use of the theme of freedom and independence. Although slave nar...