Portrayal of Violence through the Main Characters in Colson Whitehead’s Novel Nickel Boys

Abstract

Violence is a persistent social issue in human societies, as seen in art, music, and literature. Literature, a type of written expression, investigates themes such as power, justice, morality, and societal circumstances, frequently focusing on the darker side of humanity. This descriptive-qualitative study sought to discover how violence is portrayed through the main characters and as a theme in Colson Whitehead's novel The Nickel Boys. The study discovered that The Nickel Boys depicts the harsh reality of life at the Nickel Academy through depiction of physical violence and psychological violence. Characters such as Elwood Curtis and Jack Turner are beaten, assaulted, and murdered, highlighting the psychological toll of systemic oppression. The novel's theme delves into the systemic oppression experienced by African American students at the Nickel Academy, racial injustice and discrimination, and the historical context of the Jim Crow era. Violence is used to maintain power and control over marginalized communities, and its insidious nature is symbolized by elements such as the secret graveyard and the white house.