This book is definitely going to be an interesting read. So much happened in the first three chapters I
barely know where to begin. In chapter
one, the narrator talks a lot about his grandparents and the change they
experienced after slavery of taking the mindset of being separate but
equal. It seems that the narrator
attempted to emulate his grandfather’s mannerisms, being passive and meek in
his community, namely with the white folks.
The narrator evidently thinks he is doing the will of his family, but is
shocked when he hears his grandfather speaking harshly to his father about being
too compliant to the whites and bending under the pressure to remain
different. The grandfather called on the
narrator’s father to undermine the agenda of the white folks and “agree ‘em to
death and destruction”. This phrase
could be referring to the Biblical death and destruction stemming from sins committed.
Perhaps the grandfather is warning his family to not sink to the level of the
whites and commit the same sins and let those who believe themselves to be so
righteous to fall from their own sins. The
narrator also relates of his strange acceptance to college. The fight scene didn’t make much sense to
me. I don’t understand why this would be
allowed to happen if these black boys were technically free. However, the narrator’s life seems to change
when he receives the bag with his acceptance letter in it, almost like a new
life was beginning for him.
The narrator’s tale about his job of
driving Mr. Norton around. The narrator
seems to regret taking this prestigious man to such dark places as the
Trueblood house, as he is despised by the community. Norton seems to go into a sort of trance as
he listens to the weird life story of this Jim Trueblood guy and offers him
money. The narrator becomes concerned
for Norton and attempts to take him to a bar to revive him with a drink. This Norton guy seems to be pretty touchy and
wimpy. Why do you think this wealthy,
prestigious man is so sensitive and willing to help Trueblood? And why do you
the narrator admires Norton so much?
Hi Hannah! Great analysis: ) To address your astute question, I think that Norton represents a different kind of racism. He is not overtly racist, but his attitude shows that he does not necessarily think that they are equal. His gift to Trueblood could have been at of pity, but it still seemed to be kind. I think that the narrator admires the kindness that Norton displays because he has not seen it very much in his life. Norton is also from the college which is a good place for the narrator and is a positive change in his life.
ReplyDeleteThanks Hannah!