Analysis

An analysis of “One Friday Morning” by Langston Hughes shows that the story mostly follows a traditional plot structure, but also has non-linear elements. The plot relies on foreshadowing elements and flashbacks which point to the situation of African Americans at the time when the story takes place.

The story focuses on Nancy Lee Johnson, a high school student who is discriminated against because she is African American. Another important character is Miss O’Shay, the vice principal.

The events take place in an unnamed city in the North of the United States. The social setting explores the challenges faced by African Americans, the school seen as a support system, and the ideals of a multicultural society and the American Dream.

The events are described by a limited third-person narrator, who is mainly focused on Nancy Lee’s perspective. The narrator is explicit, especially when presenting Nancy Lee’s thoughts and feelings and her reactions to the events in the story.

The language used by the narrator is descriptive. The story is told through a mix of dialogue and narration, which helps convey the characters’ perspectives while focusing on Nancy Lee’s experience.

You can read a more detailed analysis in the following pages.