Questions:
Michael Jackson lyrics and African American literature
1) In considering some of the themes broached by Jackson, I am looking at how his treatment of these themes compares to that of any or all of the following with regard to the themes, concerns, issues they discuss in their novels: Frederick Douglass, "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass: An American Slave"; James Weldon Johnson, "The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man"; Zora Neale Hurston, "Their Eyes Were Watching God"; Octavia Butler, "Kindred"; Sister Souljah, "No Disrespect".
2) I am trying to see if there is one of the authors in particular, whose themes are the closest to Jackson's with regard to certain issues (i.e., common patterns, ideas both have that relate to notions about African American literature).
3) I am looking for significant parallels between Jackson's treatment of the themes in his lyrics of these three songs to those of the authors of the above novels.
4) I am looking for significant differences between Jackson's treatment of the themes in his lyrics of these three songs to those of the authors of the above novels.