The themes of light and darkness are profoundly significant in Ellison's Juneteenth. These themes symbolize race, representing both Caucasians and African Americans, and are personified in the characters of Bliss, a white preacher, and his adult form, the racist senator Sunraider. The name "bliss" suggests ultimate happiness or paradise, conjuring visions of a heavenly realm filled with light and devoid of evil and sin. In contrast, the name Sunraider implies someone who destroys the sun, thereby extinguishing all light. Sunraider embodies darkness, just as Bliss represents light. The importance of light and darkness is evident throughout the story. For example, when Bliss is placed inside the coffin during revivals, he is surrounded by darkness. Yet, within this dark enclosure, the young white preacher is clad in a white satin suit. At the right moment, he emerges from the darkness into the congregation's light. This recurring emergence acts as a metaphor for resurrection, drawing a parallel between Bliss and Jesus. Like the savior, Bliss possesses a remarkable gift for preaching salvation, and his symbolic rebirths during revivals ignite faith among the churchgoers. Furthermore, Bliss's actual birth brought Hickman from the darkness into God's light. If Bliss had not brought light into Hickman's life, the Reverend might have been consumed by a fit of rage, driven by his brother's wrongful lynching, possibly leading to the deaths of Bliss, his mother, and himself. Ellison skillfully uses the motifs of light and darkness to craft powerful metaphors throughout Juneteenth, employing figurative language to delve into themes of race and religion.

Dualism is a key theme in Ellison’s Juneteenth, particularly through the character of Bliss, who embodies the duality of body and spirit. Although he appears youthful, his spirit is notably mature. As a result, he is urged to suppress his physical desires until they match his advanced spiritual maturity. This expectation compels him to disregard his natural urges for activities such as swimming, enjoying ice cream, playing with peers, and living a carefree, youthful life. Bliss is pushed to achieve a level of spiritual awareness that many adults fail to reach. His identity is deeply tied to his understanding of scripture and his gift for preaching salvation. Hickman, his adoptive father, recognized this talent and aimed to cultivate it. However, the pressure became overwhelming, prompting Bliss to abandon this path in search of his lost childhood and to explore his physical self. Unfortunately, Bliss was never able to reconcile his dual nature. Rather than temporarily indulging his physical side and returning to his spiritual roots, he continued to distance himself from his spiritual upbringing. Ultimately, he sought to reject his spiritual side entirely by becoming its opposite: a wealthy, racist senator.

Memory, or reminiscence, serves as the core theme in Ellison's work. Hickman and Sunraider both utilize this mechanism to revisit their feelings, emotions, and past actions. Their memories frequently intertwine, forming a narrative that resembles a collage. This approach effectively develops the connection between Hickman and Sunraider, reflecting their intricate emotions. Without the use of reminiscence, it would be difficult to stitch together the bond linking these two distinct men. In many respects, they matured alongside each other. Bliss was a wise and spiritual young preacher, similar to his adoptive father. Although they eventually ended up on opposing sides, their shared memories appeared to hold them together as a unit, even as they grew apart as individuals.

In Juneteenth, similar to Invisible Man , the core theme revolves around personal identity. Some characters are only partially identified, while others break away from their pasts in different ways, leading to both positive...

Another significant theme is freedom. By titling his work Juneteenth, Ellison emphasizes the significance of realizing genuine freedom, a goal he saw as both ongoing and unreachable without the complete integration of all ethnicities in America. In Texas and the wider Southwestern United States, news of the Emancipation Proclamation didn't reach people until June 19, 1865, resulting in a delay of freedom by two and a half years. During this time, enslaved individuals were technically liberated but remained ignorant of their emancipation, and thus they were not truly free. This contrast between "true" freedom and superficial or "false" freedom is reflected in Bliss/Sunraider's efforts to free himself from his past.

The theme of the past, especially the importance of memory, is a vital element for Ellison. The relationship between memory and freedom is emphasized by a quote from T.S. Eliot's "Little Gidding," which opens the novel:

This is the use of memory: For liberation—not less of love but expanding Of love beyond desire, and so liberation From the future as well as the past.

Hickman and Sunraider must explore both their individual and shared memories, including their mutual affection, to free themselves from their past and the seemingly predetermined future it shapes. In American society, memory's counterpart is history, which includes but also transcends politics and power. Sunraider's Senate speech suggests that he is at least partially aware of this link, as history plays a foundational role. Likewise, Ellison's notes express his belief that a truly "indivisible" American experience can only be achieved when society collectively acknowledges its past, embracing both its triumphs and failures. Reflecting on his group's prayer vigil at the Lincoln Memorial, Hickman recalls his earlier hopes of molding Bliss into a worthy successor of Lincoln, reconciling with the mix of virtues and imperfections found even in the best individuals.

Within these major themes, an important sub-theme is the struggle between evil and redemption, hope and despair. For Hickman—who initially viewed himself as a great sinner—the birth of Bliss signaled the start of his personal redemption. He soon believed that with the right guidance, the boy could similarly help unify American society. Although Sunraider distorted this guidance in his quest for personal power, Hickman held onto the hope that his former protégé would eventually repent and fulfill the role of national savior he had imagined. Therefore, Sunraider's shooting seems to Hickman to be another manifestation of pervasive evil and a cause for despair. However, as the dialogue and memories unfold, Hickman seems to realize that, much like freedom and identity, redemption must remain a deeply individual and personal journey. Whether as Bliss or Sunraider, his foster son cannot be the savior of American society and likely cannot even save himself.

The bond between Hickman and Sunraider serves as a potent allegory for the evolving dynamic between white and black America during a pivotal period of transformation. This era, marked by the civil rights movement and the subsequent Black Power movement, heralded a societal shift towards equality and recognition. Hickman embodies a profound acceptance and love for Sunraider, the child of a woman whose actions once shattered his family. This mirrors the African American experience of coexisting within a nation that, despite its history of enslavement, has become home. The relationship underscores themes of reconciliation and coexistence amid a backdrop of historical injustice, symbolizing hope and change in a nation on the threshold of a new era.

In a vivid portrayal of their shared past, the characters Hickman and Bliss illuminate the rich tapestry of African American folklore and oratory. This narrative particularly highlights the art of pulpit oratory, wherein sermons become a powerful medium for conveying an African American perspective on American history. These sermons are steeped in a long-standing tradition of folklore and the dynamic call-and-response style that has been instrumental in supporting African Americans through the adversities of slavery, Jim Crow laws, and pervasive discrimination.

The text explores how these cultural expressions, deeply rooted in resilience and creativity, have not only sustained communities but also enriched the broader American cultural landscape. Yet, there is a bittersweet element to this exploration. Bliss, one of the characters, finds himself profoundly moved by the cultural heritage he uncovers. However, his reaction mirrors a historical pattern where the richness of African American traditions is leveraged for personal gain, often without proper acknowledgment of their true value and significance.

Thus, the narrative becomes a lens through which we can examine both the enduring strength of African American cultural expressions and the ongoing challenges posed by their appropriation. This duality underscores the need for recognition and respect for the cultural contributions that have shaped, and continue to shape, the American experience.

The origin of Juneteenth is rooted in a significant yet often overlooked moment in American history. It marks the day when the Emancipation Proclamation, initially declared by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863, finally reached enslaved people in Texas. This crucial information was delayed until June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, to enforce the liberation of slaves. Thus, "June nineteenth" was transformed over time into the colloquial "Juneteenth." Annual celebrations of emancipation have since been held on this date, serving as a poignant reminder of freedom's delayed arrival. This day symbolizes a broader narrative of liberation and unity, urging a reflection on the entangled fates of all Americans. The essence of Juneteenth is eloquently captured in the literary world as well, particularly in the works of Ralph Ellison, who underscores that the journey toward true liberation cannot be complete until all Americans acknowledge the shared nature of freedom. Ellison suggests that genuine emancipation requires white Americans to understand that their own freedom is inextricably linked to the liberation of those who have lived in bondage within their society. Thus, Juneteenth serves not only as a historical marker but also as a call to recognize the shared responsibilities and interdependencies within the pursuit of liberty and justice for all.