The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man

The protagonist grapples with his racial identity in America, discovering he is perceived as black yet has the ability to pass as white. This internal conflict fuels his ambition and ambivalence, likening him to an American Hamlet, caught in a struggle between embracing his African-American heritage and opting for a comfortable, white middle-class existence. The narrative explores themes of identity, cultural loyalty, and the challenges of navigating societal expectations in a racially charged environment.