The Color of Water- a Search for Identity

The American Heritage Dictionary defines identity as the distinct personality of an individual. Many factors make up one's identity, such as race, one's relationship with society, and religion. People seek other people who with they can identify. One must interact with others and learn from his interests and their responses to find a suitable group. The process of finding a group allows one to discover his own identity. Through The Color of Water, James McBride …

…can identify with in some way. In The Color of Water, James McBride searches for his identity, as everybody must do in their childhood. One must overcome certain obstacles in order to get to know himself. Only once that he knows himself can he look for other people who are similar to him. Through identifying with other people, he learns about himself. McBride illustrates the process of discovering one's identity in The Color of Water.