The Beautiful Struggle

Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. The German thinker Wilhelm Dilthey popularized the literary term “bildungsroman” in 1905. “Bildung” is the German word for “education,” while “roman” is the German word for “novel.” Consider the origins of the word. Can you make an educated guess about what “bildungsroman” refers to? What are some examples of stories in this genre from television, literature, or film? 

Teaching Suggestion: A “bildungsroman” is a coming-of-age story in which the protagonist evolves after experiencing growth and education as they move from childhood into adulthood. Students may have already encountered classic examples in their English literature curriculums. For example, Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë, and To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee are all examples of this genre. It may benefit students to discuss this literary term in relation to a familiar story in pairs or as a class, as this will help them see how a modern memoir like The Beautiful Struggle fits into the genre. The resources below may also serve as a helpful starting point for discussion. Coates’s depiction of the banal realities of life with mythic proportions—a characteristic feature of a bildungsroman—emphasizes the key theme of Everyday Life as Myth. 

• This 18-minute TedTalk describes the importance of coming-of-age rituals in an individual’s transition from childhood to adulthood.
• This MasterClass article outlines the four phases in the typical structure of a bildungsroman: loss, journey, conflict and personal growth, and maturity.

Differentiation Suggestion: For ELL and visual learners, consider sharing this video, “What is a Bildungsroman?” It provides a concise graphic overview of the literary term.

2. The Black Panther Party was a revolutionary group founded in October 1966 in Oakland, California, by Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale. What events spurred the founding of this organization? What were its core guiding principles?

Teaching Suggestion: This prompt gives students the opportunity to draw upon their knowledge of the 1960s civil rights movement in America. The primary features of Black Panther ideology included the idea of socialism, armed self-defense against police brutality, and Black nationalism. The Black Panthers’ effect on Coates’s outlook on life—and, particularly, his beliefs around Black Culture as Liberation—is evident throughout The Beautiful Struggle. To prepare students, it may be helpful to provide students with a take-home quiz.

• This entry from National Archives features a list of prominent Black Panther Party members as well as selected recordings and other helpful resources related to the group.
• This 13-minute video from CrashCourse gives a brief overview of the Black Panther Party, including their history and lasting legacy.

Personal Connection Prompt

This prompt can be used for in-class discussion, exploratory free-writing, or reflection homework before reading the text.

It is a fact of life that the family we are born into, for better or for worse, will shape the course of our lives. Consider the circumstances into which you were born—your family’s culture, geographical location, and values. How has your family shaped your life and identity? What is the strongest mark that your family has left upon your life so far?

Teaching Suggestion: This prompt will get students thinking about the ways in which their family has shaped and directed the course of their lives, which relates to the theme of Family as a Relational Force. Some students may be inclined to share sensitive details during this exercise; it might be helpful to have them respond individually in private journals so they do not feel pressured to share their work aloud with the rest of the class.

• This article from Psychology Today explores how our family helps forge our identity.
• This article from Business Insider looks at the science behind how our parents’ behavior impacts who we are.