The Comet by W.E.B. Du Bois is a short story about two characters, a white woman named Julia and a black man named Jim, after a comet hits New York. The story follows the relationship between the two characters while they are living and experiencing challenges with the crisis. The Comet mentions topics like racism and social constructs. Du Bois uses many literary elements in this short story. For example, symbolism throughout the reading silence is mentioned, which symbolizes how everything is gone after the comet destruction. Everything and everyone is dead. Du Bois also uses imagery; he is very descriptive when describing locations the characters come across. For example, the underground of Broadway or the vault The way The Comet is written, including all sorts of literary elements and genre conventions, helps us, the reader, identify the themes in the story.

Du Bois begins by introducing the characters of Jim and Julia, who come from very different racial backgrounds. By placing them as the last two survivors in a post-apocalyptic scenario, Du Bois uses irony to highlight the absurdity of racial divisions. The fact that a black man and a white woman are the sole survivors, contrary to the racial hierarchies of the time, challenges societal norms and prejudices.

The comet itself serves as a symbol of destruction and rebirth. It signals the end of the old world and the potential for a new, more equitable one. In this sense, the comet is a literary device that ties the story’s events to the broader message of transformation and hope.

The story concludes with ambiguity, leaving the fate of Jim and Julia uncertain. This open-ended conclusion serves as a rhetorical strategy, encouraging readers to consider the possibilities and challenges of a future world where racial prejudices may be reevaluated and redefined.

Rewriting the past allows for a reevaluation of historical narratives from different perspectives. It enables marginalized voices, often excluded from mainstream historical accounts, to be heard. This process helps address historical injustices, correct misrepresentations, and reveal the complexities of the past, especially in the context of race relations in the U.S.

Fiction that rewrites the past or envisions alternative futures can serve as a source of inspiration for real-world activism and social change. It demonstrates that different futures are possible, motivating individuals and communities to work towards a more equitable and just society. In sum, rewriting the past and imagining alternative futures in literature is a valuable tool for addressing historical injustices, challenging existing racial dynamics, and envisioning a more equitable and inclusive society. It serves not only as a means of reflection but also as a catalyst for real-world change and progress in the ongoing struggle for racial equality in the United States and beyond.