A Community, a Remedy against Social Fragmentation in Roots, the Saga of an American Family

Abstract

Alex Haley embarks on a journey to discover his roots, based on the stories he had been told by his grandmother. His visit to Gambia and his conversations with griots yield the amazing book, Roots. The book explores various themes including religion, race, manhood, and community. Of these themes, community stands out most. Throughout the book, Alex Haley mentions the different ways in which the community remains together despite the challenges. During all the phases of enslavement, the role of the community in the lives of the Africans is evident. Therefore, this research provides evidence that community is the remedy against social fragmentation in Roots. Moreover, the research informs the reader about the meaning of community to one of the main characters, Kunta. It also touches on the ways in which African slaves managed to retain their identity in a foreign land, despite the hindrances to community unity.