Abstract
Chester Himes’ 1965 novel, Cotton Comes to Harlem, is perhaps his most celebrated and renowned work. The novel is firmly rooted in the detective fiction genre; however, Himes loads the text with so many rich racial concepts that it also functions as a political piece. His characterization of the novel’s protagonists, Detectives Coffin Ed and Grave Digger, whose identities are trapped between being officers of the law and civilians of Harlem, highlights Himes’ personal identity struggles. Likewise, the text’s villains, Rev. Deke O’Malley and Colonel Robert Calhoun, play on the nostalgic question of black identity in America, which has ties to both African heritage and Southern slavery. Even Himes’ depiction of Harlem, which is an uncanny representation of the actual city, allows for the exploration of the black experience in America. Applying W.E.B. Du Bois’ concept of double consciousness as a framework, this essay analyzes Himes’ work to better understand the complex history of African American identity.
Recommended Citation
Williams, Jowan and Carlson, Matthew
(2025)
"Exploring Black Identity in Chester Himes’ Cotton Comes to Harlem,"
Undergraduate Research (Journal): Vol. 4:
Iss.
2, Article 3.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.58361/2766-3590.1077
Available at:
https://kb.gcsu.edu/undergraduateresearch/vol4/iss2/3
