41 pages • 1 hour read
James Weldon JohnsonThe Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1912A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man by James Weldon Johnson is a fictional memoir about a talented individual born to a Black mother and a white father after the Civil War who ultimately decides to live as a white man in the early 20th century. The protagonist navigates early life, racial identity, and aspirations in music, reflecting the complexities of race and culture. The novel includes graphic representations of racial violence, including lynching.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man by James Weldon Johnson is celebrated for its compelling narrative and profound insights into race and identity in early 20th-century America. Reviewers praise its unique first-person perspective and literary style, though some critique its episodic structure and uneven pacing. The novel remains an essential, thought-provoking read.
Who Should Read The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man?
A reader who would enjoy The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man by James Weldon Johnson is interested in early 20th-century African American literature and narratives about racial identity. Fans of W. E. B. Du Bois' The Souls of Black Folk and Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man will appreciate its exploration of race, culture, and identity in America.