THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF

MALCOLM X

BY ALEX HALEY

Protagonist

Malcolm X

Antagonist

Elijah Muhammad

Favorite Character

Malcolm X. Although besides him I liked hearing about some of the Harlem Mobsters he befriended when he was working at a restaurant many would go to.

Least Favorite Character

The Honorable Elijah Muhammad

Exposition

Born in Omaha, Nebraska Grows up in Lansing Michigan, of where his

father is killed. Moves to Boston with half sister. Moves alone to Harlem. Moves back to Boston. Goes to prison. Converts to Islam. Becomes Minister

Rising Action

Malcolm X silenced by his envious religious organization/political movement The Nation of Islam.

Climax

Malcolm makes a pilgrimage to Mecca. He travels around Africa speaking to

many ambassadors. He returns and within a few weeks is

assassinated (As told by author/eyewitness Alex Haley).

Falling Action

His Funeral and investigations.

Resolution

Alex Haley’s Epilogue refelecting his affects of American society.

Setting

1925-1965 During his lifetime America had major

problems with racism. He travels around the country, but he

spends a major part of his time in Harlem, New York.

Harlem, New York was a central place for political Afro-American movements.

Major Themes

Racism and Malcolm’s changing of perspective

Malcolm’s pointing out the similarities of Hustling and Activism

The basic rights of being human

Rating

9 out of 10 This book has a lot of great insight, and

things to really think about, through a simple story of his own personal life and experiences.

Social Issue

Even as an optimist, I believe integration, and racism is becoming less of a problem among our generation here in the United States.

America still has some issues, particularly with older generations and other parts of the world are also still struggling.