This article introduces the background and impact of the Emmett Till lynching case, analyzes how this event became the catalyst for the civil rights movement, and triggers fear among black teenagers. Emmett was lynched for failing to comply with southern social norms, and the exposure of photos of his brutal killing shocked the whole country. The chapter also discusses the reproduction of the Emmett case in literature, pointing out that African American writers use literature to reconstruct this historical trauma, challenge racist narrative logic, and make Emmett an important way for American society to reflect on the past and reject death. The literary representation of the Emmett case mainly focuses on four themes: emphasizing Emmett's scapegoat identity; Inspire social resistance consciousness; Reflecting on the mainstream discourse of "sexuality" in the southern United States; Expose the hypocrisy of white American culture.

Pay attention to Emmett Till's scapegoat identity

Explored the representation of Emmett Till's vigilante case in literature, particularly his portrayal as a scapegoat. Emmett's mother compared him to the sacrifice of Jesus, emphasizing its redeeming significance. In literary works such as Dyson's articles, Coleman's poetry, Vickers' songs, Holland's scripts, and Davis' poetry, the symbolism of Emmett as a scapegoat is reflected in different ways. These works not only reveal the racial divisions in American society, but also demonstrate the profound impact of Emmett's death on the civil rights movement. Entering the 21st century, Richardson's works, from the perspective of a journalist, emphasize the inspiring role of Emmett's spirit of sacrifice for individuals and society, as well as its power in opposing oppression and injustice.

Inspire social resistance consciousness

Explored how the portrayal of Emmett Till's vigilante case in literature can stimulate social resistance consciousness. Many writers expose racial discrimination and injustice in American society through poetry, drama, novels, and other literary works, encouraging people to take action and integrate into the social tide of fighting for civil rights and human rights. The work directly or indirectly calls on black people to rise up and fight back, reflecting the theme of "refusing death" and even fearlessly fighting back. For example, Moody described in his autobiography that his white employer warned Emmett to behave properly by asking about her murder, which made her feel an unprecedented sense of fear. Fei Youzi's short poem "No Other Choice" encourages everyone to write letters to the legislators, because pens are as powerful as the sun. Cooper's short poem "Homage to Emmett Till" directly proposes that black people should rise up and fight back, organize vigilante groups for revenge. Other works such as Miller's poem "Mississippi," Merriam's poem "Mani Town, Mississippi," and Collins' letter to readers all express anger towards Emmett's vigilante case and a desire for justice in different ways. Since the beginning of the 21st century, with the continuous deepening of academic research on black men, re examining the 1955 Emmett Till lynching case can not only reveal the evolution trajectory of historical cognition, but also critically revise and surpass existing thinking paradigms. These works, which use pen as a gun and focus on rising up to fight back, directly advocate the theme of revenge, and reflect the fighting spirit and radical attitude of African Americans who have fought for social identity through literature since the civil rights movement in the 1960s.

Reflecting on the mainstream discourse of 'sex' in the southern United States

Explored reflections on mainstream discourse in the American South during the Emmett Till vigilante case. The jury, based on the cultural tradition of maintaining the purity of women in the south, decided that the suspect was innocent, and the media implied Emmett's adult identity in the reports, providing "legitimacy" for his lynching behavior. Reflection on sexual taboo themes in literary representation includes: weakening the symbolic meaning of Emmett's sexual assault, emphasizing the impact of events on women, and rewriting Emmett's story to subvert sexual imagery. Brooks' poetry re examines Emmett from Caroline's perspective, imagining him as a disintegrating character. Francis and Walton's poetry explores Caroline's memories and the differences between two white women. Baldwin adapted the Emmett story in 'Mr. Charlie's Blues', breaking sexual taboos, breaking the comfort of white people, and making them face up to their sins and vanity.

Expose the Hypocrisy of American Culture

The Emmett Till lynching case revealed the victory of white supremacy in Southern American society and exposed the hypocritical side of American culture. Many writers reflect on the universality of American society and culture through literary works, questioning regional particularities. Raglan's poetry "The Mississippi Way," Diope's "To the Black Child," and Haval's "Let's Have Laws Against lynching," all expose the racism and white supremacy in Southern American society in different ways. It was not until the signing of the Emmett Till Anti Smuggling Act in 2022 that the United States classified vigilante justice as a federal hate crime. The works of writers such as Reverend Jin, Brown, Lazare, Nielsen, Graham, etc. directly question the freedom concept claimed by the United States and expose the hypocrisy and hypocrisy behind it. The works of writers such as Parks, Miller, Alston, Rob, and Snyder expose the racist culture and white supremacy in American society through the Emmett Till lynching case. The literary representation of the Emmett Till lynching case not only explores themes related to the taboo of "sex" and reflects on the hypocrisy of American culture, but also embodies the power and significance of literature in reflecting reality, providing a new reference path for the mutual verification of literature and history. The African American community pursues their rights with an indomitable spirit and drives social change and progress.