Literary Analysis Essay on The Harlem Hell Fighters

Introduction

The graphical novel of "The Harlem Hell fighters" is written by Max Brooks, which indicates the experiences of Blacks in infantry Regiment in 369th. It illustrates the story of the 369th fighting regime where African- American was involved in during the first World War. The novel starts with the engagement of the American in World War 1 through the recruitment of the Guard Regiment from New York, Harlem. The soldiers originated from various backgrounds, cultures, and classes resulting in internal strain. So, Harlem Hellfighters was termed as infantry African American who indulged in the First World War to protect the American nations. However, despite their dedication, sacrifice, and courage, they encountered segregation and racism in their homeland. According to the novel, Blacks soldiers face discrimination due to the white counterparts affecting the social interactions within the friendlier French. However, this graphic novel contrasts whites and blacks, camaraderie and hatred as well as German and allies

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Summary

The story begins with Brooks, who makes the WWI vital to the African-American people who strive or struggle to acquire recognition. For instance, the central role of the conflict was to make the United States obtain democracy and freedom where the black Americans were engaged in the armed forces. Since the beginning of the battle, the black individuals hoped that their effort could be rewarded once they push the threats of the fight against the individuals in the United States. The novel indicates that the 369th begin fighting against the German troops to protect the interest of the American and eventually received the rewards that are French Croix de Guerre medal. The white unit leaves New York to Europe, which is embarked on their ships amid the marching bands, which was not in the Harlem Hellfighters. According to the novel, the reason why Hellfighters indulged in World War 1 was to maintain American supremacy by protecting their interest and freedom. Hence, the graphic novel is indicated by Caanan white, which brings the action of horrors, energy, and pain of the battlefield.

Themes Illustrated Through the Graphical Novel

The vital theme illustrated in the novel is conflicting because much of the battle is narrated in the entire story. The conflicts aim to handle the issues of neglect and discrimination where men were the most freedom fighters. The countries were observing the strides made by the Blacks through the initiatives of the Civic Rights, which was implemented around 50years ago. The program was not supposed to go without notice where the precursors of the success relied on the determinations of African-American to serve the country. Also, the conflict is indicated through the history of First world war as it shows how the Hellfighters acquired victory. Thus, their efforts are celebrated even today since the military force of the Black man is an integral part of the fighting force in the United Americans.

Secondly, the graphic novel indicates militant formation because it shows how the infantry regiment 369th was formed in the army national guard NewYork which was organized in June 1916 (Caldwell 295). The infantry was termed as Federal Service, the campy Whitman, which understood and tried to learn more about military practices. Also, the novel focuses on superiority among Germans, where they begin fighting French and British forces. The German captured some places where they start signing the peace treaty as the military stalemate took the trench warfare form. Irrespective of various attempts made by the army commanders, the trench welfare sheltered the defenders, which made the attack hard compared to the defense. Also, the defender's incorporated modern techniques and weapons during warfare, such as machine guns, as few attempts resulted in the death of many soldiers that is around 60,000 in British (Greenbaum 28). Also, the battle was fought in the places where German had established the colonies in regions of Allied powers. Following this incident, the British acquired troops from various countries to conquer the Germans. The German allowed the allied army to proceed with their defense until they introduced the counter-offensive programs. Hence, there was unrest among the Germans due to the threats associated with the revolution. For the success of the battle, there must be the formation of militant, which has clear directives and goals to achieve during the conflicts. For instance, the novel indicates how the hell fighters were formed and the objectives they had to attain or accomplish at the end of the battle. So, the African-American militants were developed with the help of other soldiers from the United States to conquer during the First World War. Therefore, the story indicates how the Hellfighters were formed and how they begin succeeding in the battle.

Accordingly, the graphic novel talks about the story of how the superpowers were defeated due to the failure of the hope regarding Germany's victory as they encountered war between both western and eastern fronts (Greenbaum 28). The allied were superior because they had a remarkable decision that enforced the naval blockade that led to the inadequate food supply to the German while the allied armies enjoyed supply. Also, according to the graphic novel, the entry of the American provided massive resources to allied powers to help it conquer the war. So, their leaders were very competent and understood the strategies as they indulge in conducting the battle. For example, the Brooks conducted the regimes since the righteous warriors who ranged from the Germans and Europe were associated with prejudice treatment.

"The Harlem Hell fighters" graphic bases its story on narration because it traces the journey from the callow volunteers to the veterans, which regiment members had to encounter the war in two fronts that are against the racial prejudice and enemy in the abroad. Following the white soldiers' abuse, the military hierarchy offered brooms rather than guns as primary training, which was assigned to the menial labor responsibility about the European shipping. It was clear that the Allied proceeded with the struggle against the Western front through the help of the French army, making them have equality on the bases of the troops. Also, in connection to the novel, the 20th century, indicate the issue of race in the United State, where segregation and lynching, which is the main point in the Civil War. The

Brooks narrates how 369th men joined the fight with divergence hope of winning the battle but instead faced bitterness and worse violence.

Moreover, racism is indicated where after Hell fighters involved in the first world war, but nothing or little was done to change their lives. Racism is the scenario where majority groups may discriminate against others due to their physical appearance. The concept is illustrated in the novel, where the Hellfighters engage in the First World War to maintain the interest of the American. Still, they encounter racial segregation after the end of the battle. According to the story, they are the first African-American to indulge in the fight against the German, who they termed as enemies. The brave men encountered inequality, which gives rise to another war associated with civil rights. These people suffered casualties, unlike the American militant who was involved in WWI. Hence, instead of these people enjoying the prominent job position and favors, they encounter racial segregation in the American homeland. However, following the end of the war, the Harlem Hell fighters acquired various awards for their service or contribution to the battle. For instance, they received a Medal, Croix de Guerre from both the United States and France. Hence, almost the entire novel illustrates the aspects of racism.

Styles in the Novel

Regarding this novel, the author has narrated the story through the use of graphic form. There is a powerful sequence that indicates how the fights begin against the Croix de Guerre, which is Henry Johnstone. For example, Johnstone begins fighting the German troops on the regiment irrespective of the ammunition and eventually killed and wounded around 20 enemies. Besides, the graphic novel uses dramatizing to show how Hellfighters were determined to conquer their enemies, which is German. These people were the first African-American to involve in the First World War in United States history. During this period, racism was rampant due to an increase in racial violence where various black soldiers were killed. Also, the dramatizing is seen where various Africans-Americans did not serve the prominent positions immediately after the war. However, the novel narrates how individuals begin crowding the street, where they welcomed these Blacks soldiers.

Conclusion

In general, the graphic novel "the Hellfighers" did not concentrate much on the issue of racism but also focused on various themes such as conflicts, hatred, praise. The story illustrates the historical events that surround the world before people eradicated the issues of an individual's disparities. For example, there are featured responsibilities that indicate the real pictures of WEB Du Bois, who is a racist philosopher and the bandleader of the regiment that is Reese Europe, who illustrates the need for eradicating the racism. The allied were superior because they had a remarkable decision that enforced the naval blockade that led to the inadequate food supply to the German while the allied armies enjoyed supply. Also, according to the graphic novel, the entry of the American provided massive resources to allied powers to help it conquer the war. However, the novel indicates that the 369th begin fighting against the German troops to protect the interest of the American and eventually received the rewards that are French Croix de Guerre medal.

Works Cited

Caldwell, Duncan. "The magic trumpeter: A Bakongo nkisi nkondi and its links with World War I, the Harlem Hellfighters, and jazz." Res: Anthropology and Aesthetics, vol.69, no.1,2018, pp: 269-293. https://doi.org/10.1086/699286

Greenbaum, Andrea. "War and the Graphic Novel: Memory as Enthymeme in Maus and Waltz with Bashir." The Tropes of War: Visual Hyperbole and Spectacular Culture. Palgrave Pivot, London, 2015, pp:20-29. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137550774_3