think of it now as a mask, not an animated mask that expresses the essence of the innertruth, but a mask that falls like dead weight over the human face, making flesh a stationary object. (pg.323)Both Ellison and Griffin felt trapped in this mask, and it took only self-revelation in both authors to free themselves of that mask. The revelation hit Ellison during a play and Griffin after learning about her family..All three authors of these essays are in a sense, historians. They wrote about events that are in history, which makes the essays about history. However, these are all great works, and are being used to help explore the ways of writing history. Thus, in the context of which they are being used, they are all history. Themes about finding the truth within the self are current throughout works, and different types of histories are explored; making these text much more than just about history; they have become history. Ralph Ellison once said,“The way [one] expresses both the agony of life and the possibility of conquering it through is the sheer toughness of the spirit. They fall short of tragedy only in that they provide no solution, offer no scapegoat but the self…” (pg.143)Each author demonstrates the toughness of the spirit, and provide no solution, as history never does. It is up to the individual to decide whether history will repeat itself, or whether or not a scapegoat will be found. However, Griffin, Rodriguez, and Ellison all did their part in providing possible solutions.…for history....
