Does The Struggle For Freedom In Hansberry's Les Blancs

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In her play, “Les Blancs”, Hansberry uses the protagonist’s internal conflict to reveal that the fight for freedom is an instinct found in every human, whether they want it or not, which manifests itself in different ways in someone's identity. Freedom is a necessity. It’s vital to the mind, proven by being in the fourth tier of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Freedom is not manufactured in the mind, but an instinct found in every human. Lorraine conveys this idea throughout the entire play, yet at times, the clarity of the message is amplified.This None more than when protagonist Tshembe is discussing slavery with the news reporter Charlie. Charlie, being as naive as he is, makes numerous ignorant remarks about race and equality. Then he parades that he understands Tshembe’s suffering. …show more content…

Tshembe monologues about oppression being apparent in every society, regardless of color. Chalie then shifts the discussion to the nature of blacks wanting freedom, and he implies if Tshembe would be so inclined to fight for freedom. Charlie akins Tshembe to being a communist. He isn’t one. Tshembe has no interest in fighting for freedom. He counters, “My wife is European, Mr. Morris, a wonderful girl.”(79) Tshembe wants Charlie to understand that Tshembe has become a European in mindset and he has little regard for Africa now. He states he only came for sentimental reasons, the death of his father. Tshembe’s heart is in Europe, with his wife and family. On the surface, he is free but his heritage is shackled in Africa. It becomes apparent when Tshembe is having an implied mental episode. He is visited by the Woman. She is a figure that only Tshembe can see, dressed in traditional African war

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