The concept of social stratification is one that can be witnessed universally in all societies, regardless of geography and culture. Every society has different layers of social strata and every individual falls into at least one of these categories. The determinants of social class are often variable but include factors such as power, wealth, education, religion, culture and ethnicity (Victorian web, 2002). Inevitably when there is a social ranking system, there will be some friction between people of different classes whereby people of a higher social position mistreat those below them. Literature in general consists of compositions that tell stories, dramatize situations, express emotions, and analyze and support ideas (Roberts, 2010). Literary works tend to cover all aspects of life in a society and are often written on the topic of racism, social segregation and class systems. For this assignment I chose to compare two personal narratives; The Myth of Latina Women by Judith Cofer and Outcasts in Salt Lake City by James Weldon Johnson. Both essays deal with the struggle of ethnic minorities and individuals at the lower end of the social spectrum, as they struggle to integrate into the mainstream. While both essays have a common theme, the struggle Johnson encountered is much harsher as he lived in a time when segregation was institutionalized and African Americans were not afforded basic freedoms such as the freedom to dine in a restaurant alongside Caucasian customers . On the other hand, the Myth of Latina Women highlights the struggle faced by Judith Ortiz in attempting to assert herself in American society where she is constantly perceived as...... middle of paper......ReferencesCody, D ( 2002, July 22). Social class. The Victorian Web: An Overview. Retrieved April 17, 2011, from http://www.victorianweb.org/history/Class.htmlCofer, J. (n.d.). The myth of Latin women. Northern Arizona University. Retrieved April 14, 2011, from jan.ucc.nau.edu/hdh9/e-reserves/Cofer_-_The_myth_of_the_Latin_women_PDF.pdfNordquist, R. (n.d.). "Outcasts in Salt Lake City," by James Weldon Johnson - Classical Essays - Rhetoric and Composition. Grammar and Composition - Homepage of Information on Grammar and Composition. Retrieved April 17, 2011, from http://grammar.about.com/od/classicessays/a/saltlakecityjwj.htmRoberts, EV (2010). Writing about literature (12th ed.). Boston: Longman.Term Papers on the SEXUAL REVOLUTION | Essays SEXUAL REVOLUTION | AcaDemon. (n.d.). AcaDemon.COM. Retrieved April 17, 2011, from http://www.academon.com/sexual-revolution