In A Gathering of Old Men Ernest Gaines employs several narrators, each one providing readers with his/her version of the events that happen in a single day on the grounds of the Marshall Plantation in south Louisiana in the late 1970's. Beau Bouton lays dead, and there are at least a dozen old black men and one white woman who claim responsibility for his killing. As each narrator tells his/her story, we learn of the deep racial tension between whites, blacks, and Cajuns in a society in which the effects of the plantation system continue to linger long after slavery has ended. Why does everyone want to take credit for this killing? Is it more than just a means of avoiding prosecution, or are these old men trying to make some kind of statement? If so, what? Why now? And finally, describe how the racial dynamic described in Gaines' text reflects the plantation system.
Each of the men that confess to the killing appears to be doing so as a means of making a wider point about the people who treat them as second class citizens as a way of exacting revenge and asserting authority over their own destinies.
ReplyDeleteIt is significant that the nature of the mens deception initially relies entirely upon them all maintaining their guilt. Their collective lie cannot be effective if one breaks ranks. It is therefore conceivable that Gaines uses this to demonstrate how liberation from discrimination can only be attained through interdependence and co-operation with their fellow victims.
Although blackpeople by the timein which the novel is set have not only been liberated from slavery but also afforded equal rights as a result of the civil rights movement. Yet this is not entirely clear through the behavior of the characters in the novel. For example, the men originally wait for a mob to arrive as would have happened in plantations during slavery, rather than asserting their own physical strength in opposition.
Lynchings began when slavery ended.
DeleteDoes the scenario seem as if blank folk are afforded civil rights?
The novel a Gathering of Old Men explicitly displays the racism occurring on the Marshall Plantation in south Louisiana in the late 1970s. The Cajun plantation owner, Beau Bouton, lays dead while a dozen old black men gather in Mathu’s yard with twelve gage shotguns and empty number five shells. Candy, the one white woman, makes an effort to get all of these men onto the plantation to take credit for the murder of Beau. All of the old men, in their seventies and eighties, are extremely willing to take credit for the murder of Beau. Although it may seem that the men are all confessing to a murder that they clearly did not and could not have committed just as a means of Mathu escaping prosecution, they attempt to make a statement much larger than that. They, for the first time in their lives, have the courage to stand up to the whites. This is a huge step for most of them, who had just been accepting the injustices occurring against them throughout the years. Most of them are going to support Mathu, the only black man in the area that they had known to stand up to the whites. Chimley describes the fight that Mathu had with the whites along the river. “If Mathu did it, we ought to be there. Mathu was the only one we knowed had ever stood up” (31). For most of the old men it is also the last chance for them to stand up. Each day they are getting older and weaker and they believe that in their last days, they should finally be able to make their point. The old men want to show the whites that they cannot treat them how they have been. It is obvious that none of these old men or Candy have committed the murder; however, even when Sheriff Mapes comes and hits the old men to the ground, they all stand their ground and keep taking credit for the killing. Because all of the men confess, there is no way that Mapes can arrest any of them at the moment even though he knows Mapes has killed Beau. The old men find courage through each other while standing in the hot yard being questioned by Mapes. They finally feel like they are worth something while serving the important purpose of standing up for their race. They all have different excuses for why they say that they have killed the plantation owner, which revolve around the past inequalities and racial tensions existing between the Cajuns, whites, and blacks. The racial distinctions and dynamic affecting the plantation system in Gaines’ text is extremely evident even though slavery has been abolished in the south for many years. Racial divides linger as the white land owners believe themselves to be superior to everyone else in the surrounding area. They still treat the blacks with distaste and extreme racism and prejudice. There is a divide between the Cajuns and the black plantation workers. The Cajuns seem to be using tractors to farm the land while the blacks do not. In Janey’s story, the grandmother refers to Candy by saying, “About time she shot one of them Cajuns, messing up the land with those tractors” (23). In fact, Beau remains murdered on the ground with his tractor still running. It is apparent that racial tension still exists by the way the Sheriff Mapes has to make sure that Fix stays away from the plantation so that none of the old black men, all of who are confessing to murdering Beau, gets lynched. As each narrator tells his or her story, more of the deep racial tension between whites, blacks, and Cajuns is exposed in the plantation society where slavery has been gone for many years.
ReplyDeleteMaybe Mathu was "standing his ground"
DeleteOr is that only a white man's right
Everyone wants to take credit for this killing for several reasons. First of all, it is a way to avoid prosecution. It is likely that Mathu is the man who killed Beau, but everyone wants to protect him. Candy is white but likes Mathu and therefore has a reason to protect him. The old black men want to protect him because they are united with Mathu through their race, and constantly have to struggle against the Cajuns and whites. The reason for them wanting to take responsibility also goes further than this, however, because they are trying to make the statement that they will no longer accept everything the white men are doing to them. Slavery has been abolished for a long time, but racism is nowhere near absent, as seen by the many stories told by the different characters in the novel. It becomes evident that previously, these old men have not stood up to the white men, as shown by “Mathu was the only one we knowed had ever stood up” (31). However, the black men choose to do so now because they are given a great opportunity to take action. Candy asks the men to join her to protect Mathu, and they do not hesitate for one second to do so. The men’s age is also significant. They are all old, many of them over seventy, and have gone through a lot. All of the men have several stories about how they have been put down by the white men and these horrific experiences have added together to create their immense sense of revenge against the whites and Cajuns. Also, because these men are old, it may be their last chance to do something, and they do not have much to lose. Mat says that “I aint got much strength left to go crawling under that bed like Fue said” (30), indicating he is tired of hiding from the white men and he believes it is time to stand up to them. An important aspect of these men is their sense of pride. Cherry says, “we was just feeling proud. I could see it on Yank’s face, I could feel it sitting next to Chimley and Mat. Proud as we could be” (41). This is what joins the men together and is what causes them to have the ability to stand up to Mape. Even when he beats the men, they are able to keep quiet and insist that they were the ones who killed Beau. This sense of pride is also shown by the fact that even when the men are talking among themselves when Mape is not there, they insist they did it. Even though the Reverend thinks what they are doing is wrong, he keeps quiet when Mape is hitting him, and the sense of unity between the men is made clear.
ReplyDeleteIn Gaines’ text, the racial dynamic shows the plantation system. Even though slavery is over, it is evident the whites are in charge in this community. All the black men have stories about how they have been treated badly by the white men, and these stories show the lack of control the black men have. Tucker’s story, for example, shows this very clearly. He tells the story of how his brother won a competition against a white man (which he should not even have tried to win), and how the white men proceeded to beat him to death. Even the black men, including Tucker himself, joined in on this killing because they were afraid what would happen to them if they did not join. This shows the total control the white men have over the black men and the horrible experiences they have gone through because of it. Chimley says that “I had knowed about fights, about threats, but not killings. And now I was thinking about what happened after these fights, these threats, how the white folks rode” (29), showing that the white men are clearly in charge, especially because the white men can get away with beating and killing the white men without consequences. The racial differences are clearly instilled in everyone’s way of thinking and acting, as it is clear that the black men listen to Candy and that she could get them to leave at any point, because she is white. This racial dynamic shows the plantation system because here, the white men are also in charge. When Beau’s family arrived to the plantation, the black men were not allowed to work on the land like they always had been, and the Cajuns brought in tractors and machines and decided how the land should be farmed. This control is broken by the events in this book, because when the black men stand up to the whites, the whites lose their sense of control. Mape shows this by his inability to arrest Mathu although he knows Mathu is guilty of the crime.
What makes you think Candy could get them to leave at any time?
DeleteThere seems to be a whole lot of layers behind why the old men take responsibility for the death of Beau. We can start with the more or less simple reason that these men are old and are looking to do something significant before they die. It doesn't seem that they foster a specific kind of hatred to the point where they would explode, but the injustice is great enough for them to spur them into action. A more complex layer to their reason of standing up would be for the sake of their own land and essentially, their own rights as a now free people. Not only have the Cajuns ruined their land with their tractors, they want to hold on to the vestige of their past and what little remains of their land. Much like Bulosan's family in the Philippines, the people who stand for Mathu very much show a similar reason, and Gaines tell this through the character of Johnny Paul (90).
ReplyDeleteI think the fact that they are old men is significant in coherence to the timing of their standing up. As I mentioned before, it seems to be an exciting spark for them before they "go for good," best expressed by Chimley and Mat. The fact that they're old also indicates that they've been around for a long time - long enough to have experienced the conflict of the land and the tensions that arose during the period of transition. This stand of the old men could possibly symbolize something that they are doing because they had never seen the chance to do it, or rather had the opportunity to do it.
A lot of the racial dynamic in Gaines story really supplements what was going on in the plantation system. We do see an exclusive community dedicated to the black people, but at the same time we have other white people standing in for them and supporting them. Candy would be a key character, and maybe even Mape to an extent. This reflects the treatment of blacks in the plantation system, despite the myths that blacks were always being mistreated. We also get a sense of that too, from the character of Fix, although he has yet to make his debut.
- Elon Ng.
Plantation system (such a cute euphemism) reconstruction period resurgence of Klan membership and segregation and police brutality and ignorance.
DeleteBlack lives matter
Racism never disappears
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteEveryone wants to take credit for the killing because it is their way of taking a stand against the systems of oppression that have been in place since the times of slavery. In Cherry’s story he says, “maybe that’s why we were all there, to do something for all the others” (46). This signifies that the men are there to stand up for the injustices done to their parents and friends and as a way of objecting to the oppression that still exists. Each narrative gives insight into the terror, sorrow and pain that each individual felt. Rufe talks about the past and the way he misses the old days, and the people who were around then. He talks about his anger and says its “been in here all these years, boiling in me…done spoiled my intrance. Fear. Fear. Done spoiled my intrance. I don’t know how come I’m still alive” (96). Clearly these men are here to prove something to their past, their loved ones and to themselves. They have stayed quiet for a long time due to fear, but now in old age several of them mention that they don’t care anymore; they’ve wasted too many years being silent.
ReplyDeleteI think the racial dynamic of his text reflects the plantation system because these men have been silent all their lives, despite being a majority, because of fear. They didn’t think they could rebel or stand up for themselves so they watched as their sons, brothers and parents were abused and degraded. The plantation system runs on fear and hierarchy and by not allowing people to come together. Now, finally, in their sixties, seventies and eighties, these men are finally breaking free of that system and learning to rebel. I also think Joes point about strength in numbers is interesting. I like the idea that only through their joint efforts and trust in one another can they beat the system, although the rest of the book may provide a different ending.
Wait!Silent despite being a majority
DeleteAre you blaming black folk for white depravity?
"A Gathering of Old Men" is, as Elon mentions, a very layered novel. The characters are not outright with their thoughts and emotions, making it the reader's job to piece together the events in this Louisianna town. Very early in the story, we learn that somebody (though not yet "proven", most likely Mathu) has shot and killed a cajun. When members of the community learn that the Cajun, named Beau, was shot, nobody asks "How did this happen?" or "Why?" This implies that the murder was the result of a long built-up frustration, and that the members of the community believed the death to be justified.
ReplyDeleteA large group of older black men and a white woman named Candy all take credit for this murder, and in doing so, most definitely make a statement. The dead Cajun presumably was a longtime tormenter of this black community. By standing firm with their shotguns and claiming to be this Cajun's murderer, these old men are saying "It's our turn." They are old and tired of being pushed around in what was finally suposed to be a free country.
Many of these men have deep-rooted reasons to be upset about their society. It is mentioned that Clatoo's sister was sent to jail after defending herself from being raped by Fix' brother. Mat brings up someone named Oliver (his son?), who was allowed to bleed to death at a local hospital "'cause he was black." (38) These incidents have all been building up rage within these men, and the murder has allowed them an opportunity late in their lives to make a statement about the way they have been treated in this community. Ultimately, I think their frustration is a result of the lack of progress that they had seen, despite the abolishment of slavery and the civil rights movement. The novel's setting- a former slave plantation- is a perfect testament to the fact that these people had not moved too far beyond the days of slavery. They still feel subservient in this society, as the unintroduced character "Fix" seems to loom over this community's mind.
You do not know that they "feel" subservient
DeleteThe men that take responsibility for the killing of Beau Boutan are not only avoiding prosecution, but taking a strong stand against the years of oppression that they and their ancestors were forced to endure. Up to this point, Mathu was the "only one [they] knowed had ever stood up" (Gaines 31). The old men realize that Mathu rightly needed support and it was prime time that they stood up for themselves. I agree with Elon in that these men are also looking to engage in something significant and noble before they die.
ReplyDeleteThere are elements of racial tension but there is also evidence of the break down of racial barriers. Miss Merle is appalled to discover that a white man was killed by a black man. However, she is also stunned to find Candy, a white girl, is taking responsibility for a murder she believes was committed by a black man.
There could be many reasons why all of these people have stepped up and taken the blame for this killing. One of the major reasons is the ability to escape prosecution for this crime. If they are all able to remain faithful to this plan, they will not be able to punish the person who actually committed the crime. By standing together, they are able to have power over their situation and are able to rebel against the prejudices. While escaping the punishment is one reason these men have come together in this way, it is not the only reason. I believe that in some respect, all of the men feel like they have in some way wanted to commit this act, and if they were not the actual one who did it, which they weren't, they were all a part of this persecution and prejudiced world. All of these men have lived this life of being persecuted for their race, and they have become fed up with the inequality and prejudices so they stand together in order to stop one person taking the blame for somthing that they could all have done and can see themselves in Mathu's shoes. The racial dynamic in the text on the plantation reveals that although the laws have been passed promising equality, it is not just laws that were needed. There needed to be change in the way people felt, and this was not gained by passing these laws. The white plantation owners still treat the workers as slaves. They treat them as though they are less then human. All of the different stories and perspectives reveal the difference between the races and on the plantation the whites are in charge. There is also the differences between the Cajuns and the blacks such as the tractors and the cajuns coming and the seperation between not only the whites and blacks but also with the cajuns.
ReplyDeleteThe reason these men stand up is not just to avoid punishment. For these men, aged late into their lives, this is a last opportunity for them to stand up against racism, especially the racism intrenched in the legal system and the unwritten Crow laws that unjustly target black men.
ReplyDeleteChimley and Mat both realize that Mathu has always been resilient to white oppression. They feel that they owe him, especially now, because without their help he would certainly be put to death. The objective is not to simply exonerate Mathu, its that even if he were innocent, he would be assumed guilty. This black community does not think of itself “above the law”- the law has never been fairly applied. As Candy says, Fix would have a black man’s blood regardless of the evidence.
The racial dynamic is interesting on Marshall plantation. Though slavery has, according to history, been abolished roughly two hundred years prior, the black residents that live and work on Marshall live in the “quarters”, as though the slave quarters never lost their old name. Also, from interaction between Miss Bea, Miss Merle and Janey, it is evident that Miss Bea feels that Janey should answer to her before anyone else. There is still a sense of entitlement given to the whites, though they may not overtly or hostilely demand it, even those that are helping in this resistance, like Candy. There is cooperation between the races, even from drunk Miss Bea, but race is certainly not invisible.
The reason that everyone is taking credit for the killing is because they are trying to take revenge of the system that they have been held to during and throughout slavery. By them standing together and all of them taking credit they are not giving the sheriff any proof of who committed the murder. They use this as a means of revenge for the times when they and their fellow blacks were arrested without any proof. They are making a statement that they are sticking together and that what had been occurring in the past, such as the accusations without proof was wrong.
ReplyDeleteThey have decided to do this now because for many of them they are nearing their end. They are mostly all in the seventies and eighties. The men can take their stand against the authority that has kept them down for so long and now is the perfect time because it may be their last chance. The racial dynamic in Gaines text explains the plantation system because even though slavery is over there is still the separation between races. The white, former slave owners like in the house, while the blacks are still living together where they did when slavery still existed. By the system and the way the plantation still was set up, we can see how racism still exist.
I feel that everyone taking credit for Beau's killing is more than just a tactic to avoid prosecution, I believe that it is each one's personal way of taking action and standing up against the discrimination and prejudice they have suffered under for so long. As Chimley and Mat said, "I'm too old to go crawling under that bed. I just don't have the strength for it no more;" the men have spent long enough accepting the injustices posed on them, and by voicing their confession to the murder, they are finally able to take a stand. Although everyone knows that it is Mathu who killed Beau, everyone confessing to the murder allows each person to feel like they stood up against him and the horrors that have been inflicted upon them. Additionally, the time period surrounding the event served as a catalyst for the massive amounts of confessions. The plantations that these men have worked on for decades with their entire familys are falling apart and they are the only ones that remain on the land. Also, as the men are reaching their senior years, they feel like they have to reclaim their manlihood that has been taken from them by slavery, so with nothing to lose and dignity to gain, all of the men are ready to take the blame for the murder.
ReplyDeleteThe racial dynamics Gaine's depicts are very representative of the plantation system and culture of the south. Racial interactions in the novel are completly dictated by the color of skin, and nothing else. Even within the black community, there is a heirarchy according to skin color. Mathu believes that he is superior because he has the darkest skin, while those with lighter skin are looked down upon for having White or Indian blood existant in them. Aside from the heirarchies existant within races, the mixing of races is also looked down upon due to nothing but the difference in skin color. This is shown through the mentioning of Tessie who was killed by white men and disowned for her family for "mixing with black men" although she was mulatto.
The reason why everybody claims that they killed Beau is because they want to avoid persecution. By not giving up the name of the actual killer, which we can assume is Mathu, Sheriff Mapes is unable to pin point who the actual killer is. The bond between the black, old men and Candy, show that camaraderie and pride of these people. They are tired of being discriminated and are now deciding that they will take action, like the character Mathu has done before. A good quote that Anna mentioned described the importance of the character Mathu; "If Mathu did it, we ought to be there. Mathu was the only one we knowed had ever stood up” (31). This quote marks a change in the mentality of the old, black men and the black community in Marshall, for now the old men realize that they need to take action before they get too old to do so. Mathu's former courageous actions are now being recognized and followed by the discriminated, black members of the Marshall community.
ReplyDeleteThe racial dynamic in Gaines text explains the plantation system because, like Bill said, even though slavery is over their is still racism and separation between the black and white community. However, the character Candy, proves that not not every white person in this town is racist. In fact, Candy is the complete opposite of the typical, white person in this town, for she bans together with the old black men and Mathu and insists that she is the murderer of Beau. In this seen we see Candy's courageousness and her protective mentality she has for Mathu and "her people." "I'll stand alone," Candy says "Before I let them harm my people, I'll stand alone" (19). Even though Candy did not kill Beau, she is willing to sacrifice herself in order to make a point to the whites and to help forward change in this racially divided community.
Hey- I don't why my blog name came up as Duncan ( I think one of my guy friends the other day used my computer to check his mail... so this could have been the reason) but the last post that was just posted was by CASEY!!! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI agree with most above that everyone is trying to take credit for this killing to avoid prosecution and to stand up against severe injustices to their races. But also there is a sense of guilt in every one of these characters: "'...And they beat him, and they beat him. And I didn't do nothing but stand there and watch them beat my brother to the ground'...He looked at all of us, but none of us looked back at him. We had all done the same thing sometime or another; we had all seen our brother, sister, mama, daddy insulted once and didn't do a thing about it" (97). I think this particular shooting was a perfect chance for these old men to make an emotional statement to clear their own consciences on top of finally taking a stand against oppression.
ReplyDeleteThe racial dynamic is displayed through each one of the narrator's eyes. What is happening at Marshall Plantation is obviously really significant to every character involved. The images of the mules working(96), and that of the Reverend being knocked to the ground(71) illustrate a tension and inequality between the multiple races in the area. But I like that Mapes "knowed that Mathu had never backed down from anybody, either. Maybe that's why he liked him. To him Mthu was a real man. The rest of us wasn't" (84). It was a glimmer of hope for the plot of the story and perhaps also for the overall condition of their society.
These old men stand up for Mathu for more reasons than just to avoid persecution. I think it is clearly stated when Chimley and Mat are fishing on why they are all present when Mapes arrives. Mathu was the first black man to stand up to the whites in their small town in Louisiana. He did what all these old men could not do, and that is test the racial tension in their town. This helped him gain respect from the rest of the men and created a bond between them. So when this shooting occurs, Mat states that they have to go and help Mathu, even though they have no idea what they are going to have to do.
ReplyDeleteThey came to help stand up for their race in the South and they saw that this was their last chance. Many of them were very old and worked to the bone and never knew when their life journey would end. This fact makes them have the feeling that they need to do something not only for themselves and MAthu, but for future and past generations.
The plantation system of the town makes the white men rich and the black men poor. One of the men stated that the blacks of all the generations dating back to slavery had worked this land while the white men just sat back and earned all the money. The racial dynamic of this novel can relate to this because the blacks had always been put down in this town. They could never be equal to the whites, though many of the laws in the government said otherwise. Since white men had been superior for so long, they would easily be able to put down the blacks because that is the way things were. Neither the whites nor the blacks knew any different. However, when Mathu stands up for himself when he refuses to throw out a coke bottle, he begins the subtle change in society. He broke the barrier that had been impenetrable for so long that made the response to the shooting possible. The traditions of society and the plantation system were both starting to change ever so slightly at the same times.
In Ernest Gaines’ novel, A Gathering of Old Men, roughly twenty people claim responsibility for a murder in order to protect the real murderer, Mathu. While it is unclear to the reader what actually transpired in order to make Mathu take Beau’s life, his neighbors have faith in the fact that he would not have shot him without a reason, and they therefore set out to prevent his arrest by confessing to the crime en masse. They are aware of the injustice that he would face if arrested, a black man who killed a white man, and they set out to prevent that from happening. The injustices that these men and their families have suffered for crimes that they did and did not commit are numerous, and in facing and confessing to the sheriff they are demanding that these injustices stop. For years and years their families have suffered; they have been discriminated against, beaten, and disrespected, but the men never stood up to the authorities for fear of the consequences. Now that they are all in their seventies and older, they figure that they have nothing to lose and everything to gain—the fact that, while they still had a chance to, they fought for something they believed in. Although slavery has at the time of the book been over for many years, the vast majority of the characters within the book still live in small slave houses adjoined to a larger plot of land held by the old master. In their relations with each other, too-the nicknames, etc.-there are constant throw-backs to old slave culture. This can be seen too in the way that the white characters command the black characters, and push them around as though they still own them.
ReplyDeleteEveryone wants to take credit for the killing to prevent the real killer from getting caught. The potentially racially-charged repercussions of the murder of a white man could have far-reaching consequences within the black community. On one level, they are shielding the community from the violent backlash it would see from prejudiced whites. On another, the men are making a statement regarding their ability to resist white-determined conventions. Louisiana society at the time deemed it a greater crime for a black man to kill a white man than for him to murder a man of his own race. By their actions, the old men are preventing the law from victimizing an individual with undue severity based on his skin color. The men are making a statement of defiance. They are refusing to cooperate with authority in the society that does not regard them as equal citizens.
ReplyDeleteThe racial dynamic between the three groups, whites, Cajun, and blacks, is tied to the plantation system. The plantation system reinforces the power structure in practice since slavery, with aristocratic whites always in the position of authority and blacks in one of servility. This form of discrimination is perpetuated in a variety of ways, not least of which in the requirement for black people to address whites as “Miss” or “Sir.” These societal norms relegated each race into a reinforced role on and off the plantation fields. The Cajuns compete with the blacks to work on the upper class whites’ plantations. The Cajuns, who are seen by plantation owners as being low class, are still given preferential treatment over blacks because they are seen as part of the white race. There is tension between blacks and Cajuns, generated through this competition for plantation jobs.
While everyone wants to take credit for the killing not only to protect Mathu from being persecuted, Candy and the old me have different reasons for doing so. Candy said she shot Beau because she loves Mathu who helped raise her (19). She defends him also because she sees it as her duty (19). She calls them her people as if it was still the time of slavery and they were her property and therefore by the concept of paternalism she must protect them from injustice (19, 24). The old men on the other hand want to take credit because in the past Mathu was the only on who ever stood up to the whites (31). As Chimley says, they had thought about doing something in reaction to injustices but never had (31). In this way they are trying to make a statement. They are old now and have each witnessed injustice in one form or the other (97). Their age has a lot to do with their decision to act as Mat said he’s too old to hide under the bed (31). Now because it is Mathu in trouble again they know they have to prove they can be men too and be proud for doing so (40-41). They also do so because Beau represented the loss of their place as sharecroppers (43, 92). They also want to protect Mathu from Fix, Beau’s father, who has in the past done his fair share of injustice things against the blacks (108).
ReplyDeleteThe racial dynamic reflects the plantation system in the relationships between the whites and blacks. Candy protects them like she is still obligated to do so out of ownership (47). While slavery has ended the sharecropping system and the opportunities for advancement have been limited for the blacks so that they are still observant of social order. This is evident for instance in Janey’s insistence that Snookum address the whites as Miss and Mister (8). It is also evident in the way Bea treats Janey when she slaps her and says “This is not Seven Oaks, Miss, this is Marshall. At Marshall I say ‘don’t’ and I say ‘do’” (22). In addition the way the Sheirff slaps the men for not admitting the truth to him as Rufe explained, “He had already used his only little knowledge he knowed how to deal with balck folks- knocking them around. When that didn’t change a thing, when people started getting in line to be knocked around, he didn’t know what else to do. So now he just stood there…” (93). The delineation between the blacks by skin color is also evident of the influence of the plantation system in which those with lighter skin would be given better positions (51). Clatoo describes how the black men differ and how Mathu boasted, “About not having no white man’s blood in his veins” (51).
Initially we get the idea that everyone is taking the blame for the killing as a way to avoid prosecution and to protect Mathu, whom everyone believes killed Beau (It is important to note that while the characters in this novel lead us to believe that Mathu killed Beau, we have not actually been told that he did it). But as the story progresses and we hear the thoughts and conversations between all of these old men we come to realize that they aren’t doing this to protect Mathu, they’re doing it for themselves. It’s their chance, probably their last chance, to stand up for themselves and their families. We’re given vivid stories of the horrible things that have happened to these men and their families throughout their lives in the Bayou while fear compels them to stand by and watch, or even hide. This is their chance to show the men who did this to them that it is not ok and that they won’t put up with it any longer, and they can do this by standing up to them and even fighting if necessary.
ReplyDeleteThis book gives us an almost perfect representation of the plantation system in the Old South. We are given white sharecroppers and black families who work for them and work the land. Even though they aren’t slaves the dynamic hasn’t changed much between them and the white landowners; beatings, lynchings, unfair treatment, and blatant racism are all still very prominent in this story.
Each of the old men taking credit for the killing of Beau Bouton serves a dual purpose in the novel. Firstly, the men take credit for the killing in order to protect Mathu, the suspected killer. However, more importantly the men take credit for the killing to prove that they are now able to stand up for themselves and are no longer living in fear of either the white man or the Cajun man. These men were able to finally make a stand because they no longer had anything to lose and were fed up of living in fear. In doing so, these men are making a transition away from the racial dynamics that still remain intact from the times of the plantation system despite the ending of slavery. For example, many of the black men and women are still forced to live in quarters, the remnants of slave quarters while the white men and women live in the big plantation house. Also, there is still a sense of a planter’s class that is represented by Jack, Bea, Candy and Miss Merle. The black men are women are still forced to show the same respect for these people despite Jack and Bea’s lack of respect back or lack of respect of themselves in their constant state of intoxication. Therefore, by making and stand and taking credit for the killing of Beau, the old men are in a way finally starting to break free from the racial dynamics lingering still from the time of slavery.
ReplyDeleteIn response to Casey’s (Duncan) ending quotation “I’ll stand alone…before I let them harm my people” (19), I agree that it is not only courageous of Candy to stand up for Mathu, but that it is also very caring of her. She recognizes that Mathu has been a father figure in her life, due to her parents’ deaths and the lack of responsibility of her aunt and uncle, and cares greatly for him. However, I also find it very interesting that she refers to the Mathu and other black men like him as her people. In this way, Candy is demonstrating her feelings of ownership of the black men and women who live in the quarters. This feeling of ownership is a great example of the racial dynamics in this novel reflecting the plantation system. Although Candy clearly cares about the black people living the quarters, especially Mathu, she still views them as her property and therefore does not show them the proper respect they deserve.
ReplyDeleteEveryone is taking credit for the killing of Beau because they want to finally stand up against the injustices that they have been experiencing for years. Candy states that she “won’t let them harm my people…I will protect my people” (19). Mathus is believed to have committed the crime. He “was the only one we knowed had ever stood up” (31) and he takes pride in his darker coloring. Mathus sees himself as superior to the rest of the lighter black men, since he has not been tainted with white blood. The black men envy Mathus and his ability to rise against affliction and not put up with the racism. Since they are all old they see this as one final opportunity to stand up for what they believe in. The statement these men are attempting to make is that they are tired of the way they have been treated and that something must be done to change their circumstances. Slavery has been abolished but the plantation class system is evident in the story. The whites still treat the blacks with disdain and enslave them through methods that are not blatantly apparent. Fix has harassed the black men for years and Mapes has to make sure he doesn’t come to the plantation and lynch the accused. Mapes has the authority to strike the black men because he is white and holds the authority in their relationship. Also Griffin asks Mapes why he has not taken anyone in. Griffin believes that since he is white the black man that killed Beau should be immediately convicted and taken to jail. Though slavery was abolished, racial tension is still clearly seen in this novel as the black characters struggle to defy their racial boundaries.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Kelly that the men are taking credit for the killing in order to prove that they are now able to stand up for themselves and are no longer living in fear of both the white and Cajun men. The men are in their seventies and eighties and they believe that this may be their last chance to actually stand up for their race instead of just accepting the prejudice and injustices that they have been accepting all of their lives. The old men are finally taking the necessary steps in order to eliminate the outdated hierarchy of the south. Remnants of the slave system still exist, with the white planter class still believing that they are the top class, wanting to hold their place in society without accepting any of the responsibilities that go along with it. For example, Candy’s parents are always intoxicated and really do not care what is going on with their daughter. Candy even still puts herself over the blacks and Cajuns by the way that she takes charge of all of the old men and possession over Mathu. The old men are tring to break free from the harsh racial dynamics remaining from the time of slavery.
ReplyDeleteThe men take a stand and all claim credit for the killing because of their pride and also for the fact that they no longer want to live in fear of what Fix and his fellow lynchers will do to them. They want to stand up for a cause, for something they believe in. The fact that Gaines makes it well-known to the reader that all of the men are old is an important fact because for all these lives the men have lived in fear of pain and torture and thus, they have stood individually. But now that they are old and feeble with the possibility of dying on the horizon, they want to be part of something greater and part of something that made a difference. I agree with Micala in the way that they want to make a stand because slavery has been abolished yet all the whites in the novel always come up with some way to look down upon or take posession over the blacks in the novel.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I think Mathu is proud of his colored skin because he has always stood up for himself. He doesn't need a white woman to try and protect him or Mapes to stand in the way of the lynchers as we know hehas gotten in a fight with Fix before, with Fix ending up on the ground.
I agree with David’s statement about how the reader initially believes the old men are taking credit for the killing because they want to protect Mathu. As the story progresses the reader learns that this is the last opportunity for the men to break their silence and stand up against the racism they have been experiencing for years. Andrew brings up a valid argument that the plantation system causes the blacks and Cajuns to be in competition for jobs, therefore causing strife. The Cajuns are lower class but since racism still exists they are father up on the echelon than blacks. Since Cajuns are white they are given more, while the black people once again are struggling against a biased system. Authority is a key theme in this novel and it is clearly shown when a black man named Charlie asks Mapes to call him Mr. Biggs, which allows the reader see the transformation of change that will eventually happen. This recognition of blacks as equals to whites will end the plantation system, as blacks will be allowed to have their own lands and have equal freedoms.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to comment on both Hannah and Kelly’s comments. I think Hannah’s point about the black community not being above the law is important. I had not considered that before. I think its really important to understand that the men’s reasons for sticking together are not because they think they are above the law, but are more because they have never been treated fairly by the law. Their actions and reasons for finally standing up for themselves are not based on feelings of superiority, but are based on a want for equality.
ReplyDeleteI also think that Kelly’s comment about Candy is interesting. Although Candy is "heroic" in the sense that she has organized all of this to protect Mathu who she loves, she is also still slightly racist. She considers these men her property and she feels responsible for protecting them. Even though her intentions are good and she’s obviously not a bad person, she does still exhibit some of the less blatant racist attitudes.
I think Brittany's comment about the old men standing for more than just for a specific prosecution holds true. As we get deeper and deeper into the story, and even after we get news that Fix isn't coming, the old men intend to stick with Mathu until the end. It seems to be a symbol of either brotherhood or even a kind of racial bond, evident when they ask for a few minutes of Mapes' time to speak inside the house, excluding even Candy (176).
ReplyDeleteKelly's comment about Candy's feelings about "her people" do indicate "less blatant racist attitudes" as Sarah points out. But I think what is important to realize is that Candy is making a "stand," much like the rest of the people there. Although she is not exclusively the same ethnicity, it can be seen that she is taking a "stand" as a member of the white race for helping them instead of discrimination. Sure, there's no easy way to help someone/people of an oppressed class without some form of pity or degradation, but I think it's important that Candy is taking a radical step rather than focusing on the old attitudes that were predominant during that time. Mapes, as the law, represents that well. Much like the Faulkner's Unvanquished, we get the idea of a newer idea replacing an old idea/culture that was predominant. The desegregation of white and black and the advent of civil rights has lead the courts to give relative equal treatment to both sides of the case. Though the ending to the story may seem a bit romanticized, it does not undermine Gaines' point that the new era of politics that is being ushered in is advancing the equality of the black race.
I agree with Kelly’s comment about how Candy cares about the black men but that she also believes she is superior to the black men. Candy is described as “small, not more than five two, and thin as a dime” (16) but she is the one who commands all the old men to come down to Mathu’s house to protect him. When Mapes arrives, Candy seems to be in charge and continuously yells at Mapes, like for example, “because they’re black and helpless, is that why you’re picking on them?” (67). Candy has no respect for Mapes. Later, at the end of the novel, when Mathu wants to talk to the men inside the house without Candy, she gets angry and demands to be allowed to participate. Eventually, she tries to prevent the men from going inside and Rooster says that “we all looked at Candy standing in the door with her hands on her hips” (175), a humorous but very telling image that shows the racism still present in this society. Even Candy, who initially comes off as a woman who deeply cares about Mathu and is willing to give up her own freedom to protect him sees herself as superior to and in charge of these black men. When Candy refers to the black men as “my people”, a sense of possession rather than unity is created. Even Mapes points out that “’at least your people let them talk,’ Mapes said. ‘That’s why they put that church up there. Now you’re trying to take that away from them’” (174). Candy symbolizes the inherent racist ways of thinking and reflects the plantation system, where whites are in charge of blacks and the blacks become oppressed and are, in reality, not free. However, through the events in this novel, we see how Candy’s power is taken away and despite her refusal, she is forced to leave Mathu and the old men to talk without her. Candy going to Lou’s car symbolizes the black men getting some of their freedom back, and through their persistence they were able to stand up to the white man and receive a sense of revenge against the oppression they have lived through.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the comments about how all of these men standing up for Mathu is not just specifically about this one incident. It is evident through all of their stories that these men have been through terrible times of racism and persecution and they are standing up not only for Mathu but for themselves. Although all of these men have a common bond of race, it is interesting how the differences in darkness seperates even these men who are the same race and even though there are these differences, they are all still standing up for one another. I do agree with Elon about how Candy standing up at all is the real point and is important. The feelings that she is being a bit racist and shows her feelings of her being in control and in power, however I do not think she realizes she is doing this. It seems like she thinks she is treating them as equals or being extremely nice and is completely ignorant of her racism.
ReplyDeleteIn response to Casey’s blog entry, I liked the quote she included towards the end about Candy being a part of the plan to confuse the sheriff. I think this is a very strong point about the time in which the men live. This is taking place after the end of slavery, however it is really before blacks are respected and treated as equals. Candy, a white woman is seen here standing up for blacks, which is something that needs to be seen by others in able to make a step forward in demolishing the racism in the area. Even though the plantation is still set up the same as it was during the time of slavery, we are now exposed to the change that has slowly occurred over time. If it weren’t for people like Candy, it would be impossible to change the perspectives of racism.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with Joe that the men are finally standing up partly because of their frustration at the lack of progress in the community as well as with the continual persecution. For instance at the end of the novel Coot says in response to finally being able to shoot against Luke Will and his gang, "I didn't know the last time I felt so good. Not since I was a young man in the war" (198). Earlier we learned that he had been threatened for wearing his uniform. Even though it was the 20's then and now it's the 70's, he has been scared to defy the whites and cajuns until now. The old men by showing up and supporting Mathu fulfilled their need to finally suppress their fear. They had lived their entire lives as if they were still slaves, subservient to whites, whether Candy, Jack, or the Cajuns. They now are showing that the system where they will stand by without fighting back is gone.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Sarah's comment about the black men in this novel being a silent majority in their community, until now, because of fear. It seems that their decision to stand together for a common cause has given a lot of these men a feeling of confidence and strength that had been lacking in their lives. Only a select few of these men, namely Mathu, had the courage, or "nuts" (72) to fight back against oppression. On this day, however, these men aren't afraid to look Mapes, a burly white man, in the eye and stand by their cause.
ReplyDeleteOne moment which stands out is when Tucker tells the story of when his brother was severely beaten by white men and he reluctantly joined in on the beating. He inflicted pain on his own brother because of fear. On this day, however, Tucker is a different man. He is no longer afraid of what the white man can do to him, no longer afraid to stand up for himself. The fact that he was able to express this painful story reveals the amount of strength that this incident has given him.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteAndrew's post discusses how Black, White and Cajun Bayou residents are stuck in the plantation system. Prior to the second reading I would have agreed, but the narrative of the Boutan family, gathering to grieve or plot revenge, reminded me that lynching and the KKK developed more violently and with greater frequency post-plantation life. A truly plantation-like system would indicate a sense of order, whereas, the novel and the end of slavery meant chaos. Another post (I can't find who wrote it now, sorry!) commented that Whites have been struggling to replace the order that was destroyed after the end of slavery. That is what Luke Wil and the Klan represent, a struggle for power, or assumed entitlement. I think the fear of this lack of control is particularly evident when the men gathered at the Boutan residence wonder why Mapes hasn't done anything yet and why they haven't gone down to Marshall themselves to handle the situation. In reality, the legal system is not always quick, for better or worse. Justice requires time, but these men are accustomed to manipulating it themselves and executing it in a manner that is anything but blind.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to expand on Maria's post about Candy's relationship with the black men. Although at first, she comes off as the benevolent white planter class soul that understands and sympothises with the black population, it becomes evident that although her intentions are good, she still maintains the belief that because she is white, she is superior to the black population. While she does not assert her assumed dominance on the black folks through beatings or physical domination, she does it through trying to "protect" them, thus showing that she believes that they are lower than her and need her help. It is for this reason that arranges for herself and all of the black men to admit to the murder of Beau; she does not believe that Mathu can handle the situation on her own, so she takes it into her own hands. Although Candy was raised with Mathu as her father figure, she still feels the need to protect him due to his race, and thus demonstrates her belief that African Americans are inferior to the white race.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Maria’s points on the mentality of the old men and their motivations for helping Mathu. Maria noted the significance of their age and how they want one last chance to get back at the oppressive whites and Cajuns before they die. It is interesting how Gaines plays with our assumptions of the old men’s and Candy’s motivations for standing up for Mathu. Initially, we are led to believe that they are protecting him due some sort of personal relationship they have to him. Candy seems to want to get involved because she considers him a friend and the men seem motivated by Mathu’s membership in their community. It begins to be apparent that Candy sees the blacks as her charges, maintaining the classic racial outlook established by slave owners in the South. Similarly, the old men’s actions are tied to race, in a greater sense than simply supporting their small community. They use this opportunity to take a personal stance against white society, which they did not have the courage to challenge earlier in their lives. They are giving themselves peace of mind. Both Candy and the men are acting based on time-worn racial precedents, which is likely a commentary by Gaines on the enduring influence of race on both black and white mind-sets.
ReplyDeleteI have to disagree with what Duncan (Casey) says in this post, I feel like Candy is just a different type of racist. She seems to think that she is helping everyone, especially Mathu, by trying to take the blame for the killing. First of all, she makes statements like “protecting my people” which isn’t really used in a family sense but more in an ownership sense since they are all black and she is the landowner. Trying to take the blame for the killing is futile because everyone, black and white, knows that she didn’t kill him—and more than this, she knows that they know. Treating these men like they are old and weak and need protection from someone else isn’t the type of person they need or want. Candy shows her true colors later in the novel when everyone wants to go inside to talk to Mathu without Candy, when she hears this she throws a temper tantrum and threatens to kick them all out of their houses—this is not an act of someone who feels that they are equals.
ReplyDeleteI also disagree with the idea that they are trying to avoid prosecution for Mathu, several of the old men state that they are willing to go to jail, even want to go. This isn’t merely because they don’t want to see Mathu go, it is because for the first time in their lives they are able to put their fear aside and stand up for something they believe in. It’s about a principle, not just protecting one friend whom they admire.
Everyone wants to take credit for the killing because they've all tired of the oppression and the constant restraints on what they could freely do. They've lived their entire lives building up their resentment, and by now they've reached a breaking point. All they needed was a simple catalyst. And that happened to be the death of Beau. That kind of opportunity is rare and for it to happen at all was seen as a miracle to them. The very idea is so shocking to them that they attribute it to an act of God, which I find kind of ironic, because it basically says that God finally granted them the power to murder, which they had all along, and that God was fed up with inaction and that He'd finally given in, which somewhat reflects the sentiment of the old men. Being that some of the men are approaching death, it doesn't surprise me that they've reached this point of desperation, and that they've lost all of the value they previously placed in the life they were living. When people are put into situations where quick decisions need to be made, and where the stakes are high, they tend to follow authority, even when the authority is telling them to do something that goes against their natural instinct. They've had a lot of built up anger over the oppression and they've had little opportunity of reprieve. If they had ever tried to act out before, they risked being shot. And even though the consequences are the same, they don't have a choice. It seems the men see this as their last chance for revenge, and as long as all of them were to be resilient and unwavering, they could ultimately win.
ReplyDeleteGaines makes use of the shifting perspectives in order to have his audience side with the old men. He details the story so that we, as an audience, are as fearful for their lives as they are themselves.
The reason that the old men want to take credit for the killing is to protect Mathu and to take one last stand against the prejudice they have felt thier entire lives. Ironically they are confessing to a murder that they have not done. Because they act collectively, however, no action can be taken against a single one of them. Each narrator brings out an example and certain aspect of racism in their confession. Beyond standing up to a race that believes it is superior, these men are getting an opportunity to voice their feelings before they die. I also find it very interesting that the blackmen confessing to the crime bring out the racism also felt by them toward Cajuns who farm the land with tractors. Although blacks have felt the pain of presecution, when they precieve competition from another minority they turn against it. It is true today that poorer people tend to be more racist and divide along ethnic lines than wealthier people. Unfortunatley, because there is no solidarity between the poor ehtnic groups they are not abel to act collectively to better their situation. In this story, we witness the collective action of old blackmen. By acting together they are stronger but they do not see these advantageous in joining with the Cajuns.
ReplyDeleteI disagree with the following lines from sherwyn's post,
ReplyDelete"Being that some of the men are approaching death, it doesn't surprise me that they've reached this point of desperation, and that they've lost all of the value they previously placed in the life they were living. When people are put into situations where quick decisions need to be made, and where the stakes are high, they tend to follow authority, even when the authority is telling them to do something that goes against their natural instinct."
She is right to point out that these men do seem to be acting contrary to their natural instinct, theat the decision was made quickly, and that this last stand will define their lives. However, although they are acting contrary to instinct in a quick situation does not mean that these men are not consciously volunteering to confess. they are protecting their friend and getting a chance to stand up for themselves, whioh is simply pointed out by a white woman. They are still acting conciously in my opinion. Further, I do not believe that these men are losing track of the value of their lives until this point. While it is this moment of defiance that will define much of the meaning in their lives it has been the struggle to this point that has given them the meaning to stand up. There lives have been worthwile as they have fought prejudice and persecution. They have struggled through and felt the joys in life despite this hatred. This moment of defiance now defines the lives of these men who would not give up on life despite racism. The moment of defiance highlights the worthiness of these men's lives not their casual ability to throw them away.
I agree with Joe's point that, although African Americans have received equal rights by this time because of the Civil Rights Movement, there still appears to be a social hierarchy based on race in this area of the country. This novel points out that although parts of the country are moving forward in terms of race relations, some parts are still backward. Slavery was abolished over a hundred years before this novel was written, yet the characters still abide by the old plantation way of life to a certain extent. A major shift in this novel is the realization, on the part of both the white and black characters, that this way of life is not only dying, but is fundamentally wrong, and therefore should not be tolerated or held on to.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Joe and Sarah on the fact that the black men were silent because of the fear that the white men instilled on their race. They could not stand up for what they believed in because there were not enough of them to stand up and make a statement. It took Candy, a white woman, to start this event. Once she opened the door, all of these black men saw their opportunity to stand up for their race. The fact that Candy had to take a step in the right direction makes me think that this action represents what all white men and women had to do in order for blacks to gain equal rights. The blacks would never be equal to the whites unless some whites convinced their race that this was right. Slowly but surely there were enough Candy’s in America that racial divisions have diminished somewhat.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Alex's statement above that the transformation that can begin to be seen in Mapes by the end of the first section we read is very promising for the plight of the novel's black characters. In the end, Mapes finally begins to treat the old men with respect, and even calls Charlie "Mr. Biggs" while interviewing him about what actually happened when Beau was shot. By the end of this novel, Gaines does a very good job of pulling the audience back into the mindset of the '70s as opposed to the late 1800s, which I think is very important because it can be easy to lose oneself in the story and not realize how outrageous all of these events would have been in the 70s, even considering the fact that it was set in Louisiana. Gil's reaction to his father's plan is symbolic of this changing mindset as well.
ReplyDelete