IntroductionThe play “Mulatto” by Langston Hughes deals with life in the South in the 1930s. During this period, the system of white domination over the black race is absolute and uncompromising. The show focuses on the father-son relationship between Colonel Tom Norwood and his mulatto son Robert Lewis, a relationship characterized by mutual hatred and rejection. Throughout the work the cause of conflict is the color line, a line that must be crossed to be accepted and recognized as human beings. The father cannot recognize the mulatto children on the plantation as his legitimate children without giving up his identity as a white man. This article will take an in-depth analysis of the character Cora to examine her life, her sacrifices, her state of mind and her feelings. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Cora's life was characterized by mixed fortunes. On the one hand she gets favors because she is Norwood's lover, on the other she is considered nothing more than a black woman, a negro. Since moving into the big house, Cora has never had to worry about mistreatment or the harsh life in the plantation fields. From her relationship with Norwood we can deduce that he respects and loves her. As a result, he can get preferential treatment reserved only for whites, including those who live in the main house. But on the other hand she is a prisoner of her skin and has little say in what revolves around her. From the beginning, Norwood simply sees her as a black person who should be subservient to him. Just like the first time he lay with her when she was only fifteen, Norwood saw her as a “pretty little piece of flesh, black and sweet.” It's disappointing that despite caring for Norwood and giving birth to all of his children, she doesn't receive the respect her position deserves. To a large extent, Cora sacrificed her individuality to protect her children. Throughout his life, he had to live in the shadow of both Norwood and his children, so that they could be protected. For example, even if he doesn't hate Norwood, it's not clear that he loves him. He puts his children before happiness, comfort and fears and makes all life-changing decisions with the sole goal of ensuring they are protected. She says "and I was always ready for you when you come to me at night." It doesn't say whether she loved him or not, just that she was ready. She has no other identity than that of being the mother of four children. She cannot claim to be Norwood's wife while everyone knows that she cares for the man and has given birth to all of his children. In her long, important speeches near the end of the play, Cora is trying to put into words her feelings, feelings about her entire life. She is neither mad nor in shock. While she initially appears to acknowledge that Norwood is dead, the audience realizes that she is clear-headed and aware of the fact that he is indeed dead and that she was aware of the stark difference between the races all along. For example, he states "...and you were lying on the floor there, dead!". This explains that she knows that Norwood is dead and that everyone has run away from him, including his children and even his white friends. In fact, Cora further emphasizes that for a long time, Norwood was dead to her. Apparently, ever since she beat Robert at an early age, Cora had hated him. He observes: “After you beat that child, you are dead, Colonel Norwood. You died here, in this house, and have been living dead for a long time.” So, it seems, Cora has long lived with hatred in her heart after recognizing that her children's father will never treat them better simply because they are in danger..