Malcolm X: Malcolm's Struggle

Throughout the beginning of the novel (up to about chapter 6), Malcolm struggles with his African-American identity. He wants to be white, but as he looks back, he realizes that he should be proud of his black heritage. As a child, Malcolm was preferred by his father because of his lighter brown skin. However, he was unfavored by his mother for the same reason. When he was older, Malcolm "conked" or straightened his hair to look more white. 

In the writing style of the novel, the older Malcolm looks back on his young life. His older self suggests that his younger self was naive and weak, by submitting to the socially acceptable views of the day. This is an interesting writing style because the reader can contrast the views while something is happening and the views in hindsight. 

Malcolm, like many adolescents, struggles with his personal identity. Being African-American in the time of segregation added to the pressures that he faces. As the story progresses, I think that Malcolm's present and hindsight views with begin to merge. He will become more proud of himself and his race, which will lead him to become an extremely important civil rights leader.