The Color of Law Literary Elements

The Color of Law Literary Elements

Genre

Non-Fiction

Setting and Context

the United States of America

Narrator and Point of View

Told from Rothstein's point of view

Tone and Mood

Historical, Mysterious, Solemn, Sad, and Disappointing

Protagonist and Antagonist

There is no clear protagonist/antagonist structure in the book, although governments which promote racism are portrayed in a negative light.

Major Conflict

Because this isn't a narrative novel, it doesn't really have a conflict which drives the story. However, there is a fair amount of conflict evident between African Americans and a government which promulgates racist policies.

Climax

This is a non-fiction book and does not have a climax.

Foreshadowing

This is a non-fiction book that does not utilize foreshadowing.

Understatement

The complicity of many average citizens in profound racism is understated throughout the film.

Allusions

To the history and geography of the United States, popular culture, sociology, religion, mythology, and social sciences.

Imagery

Rothstein uses intense imagery to underscore how horrible the forced segregation was in America.

Paradox

N/A

Parallelism

The story of many African-Americans how tried to get homes is paralleled in the book.

Metonymy and Synecdoche

Suits = Government officials

Personification

The metropolis is personified throughout the book.

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