Diction

       Malcolm X, in chapter 14, entitled "Black Muslims," of his autobiography, expresses his anger towards what he claims to be the continued opression of blacks by the whites. Throughout this chapter, X uses impassioned and raging  words to demonstrate the tone, that of which is generally fiery and tumultous. Words such as "rapist" and "slavemaster" are implemented by X, used to show the continuance of such qualities in the intolerant whites, even in a society of free blacks. Replacing the term "white males" with the previous degrading names creates an atmosphere full of tension and hate towards them, thus revealing his anger. The author also states, "He is saying he won't integrate because black blood will mongrelize his race!" (293). Stating this further establishes the angry tone, as X relays this message in such a way to instill rage in his audience. Furthermore, the X writes, "So let us separate from the white man, and for the same reason he says" (293). In proposing this, X desires to counteract the actions and statements of the whites by doing the same to them, an act out of revenge and spite towards the white men. Thus, the overall expression of the distressed and infuriated tone in which X speaks in is successfully relayed by the use of several of the fiery and indignant words and phrases utilized in this chapter. 


       The diction shifts, however, in chapter 19 of the book, entitled "1965." X, at this time, has denounced the hatred for the white men he previously had, and now speaks of tolerance as the means of progression, comparing the hatred of whites to any type of racism. With this new idea in mind, he speaks with more elevated and sophisticated language, seen when he states, "the white man is not inheritantly evil, but America's racist society influences him to act evilly" (427). Speaking now more eloquently, it shows the accumulation of knowledge, as well as the maturation, of Malcolm X over a course of several years, as experience has taught him this new, broad idea of tolerance.