ILN Journal: Indian Literary Narratives

Articles

Vol. 3 No. 1 (2026): ILN Journal: Indian Literary Narratives

The Sound of Silence: The Portrayal of Police Violence Against Black Americans in Jason Mott’s Hell of a Book (2021)

Submitted
21 January 2026
Published
2026-03-30

Abstract

           This article examines the portrayal of police violence against Black individuals in Hell of a Book (2021) by Jason Mott, by using the framework of African American aesthetics. It explores how the novel highlights systemic racism, criminalization, and dehumanization through the characters and narrative techniques. The article discusses the historical and institutional roots of police brutality, connecting it to slavery, segregation, and racial profiling. It also explores the psychological impact of police violence, particularly the fear and trauma experienced by Black individuals and communities over generations. It examines how characters like Soot and the unnamed author of a novel cope with racial trauma, illustrating how Black people survive the constant threat of violence. Additionally, the study highlights the normalization of Black deaths, the failure of the justice system to hold police accountable, dehumanization and Criminalization of Blacks and the emotional breakdown of Black families in America. Through a thematic analysis, this paper argues that Hell of a Book critiques systemic injustice and exposes the fears that shape Black experiences in America.

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