The Marrow of Tradition by Charles W. Chesnutt - Book Report/Review Example

The Marrow of Tradition by Charles W. Chesnutt  First published in 1901, the Marrow of Tradition serves as one of the most distinguished works of early twentieth century. Created by an African American author Charles Chesnutt, the novel elucidates the existence of apartheid and ethno-racial hatred and discrimination prevailing in almost all parts of the USA in its full swing, where the blacks had little and limited job, healthcare, recreation and business opportunities both in public and private sectors. Although the author has focused on the southern parts of the country, where the fictional ethno-racial riots take place, yet the situation was almost adverse in the same manner depicted with reference of South America in the novel under-analysis. Depicting the state of racial conflict in Wellington town of South America, the author explains the nature of the whites’ abhorrence for the blacks because of their appearance and financial status. Since the blacks had been brought as captives from African states in order to work as slaves of the white population for the future centuries to come, the majority of white individuals still regarded them as their slaves even after over two decades of their forced migration from their native lands. The novel begins with portraying the Carteret family, the white racists, who would not allow inter-racial marriages or sexual union (1991 7-8), and look for the supremacy of the whites in one way or the other, due to the very reality that they consider the blacks as inferior and brutal as a community, which aptly involves into criminal activities and offences, putting the peace of society into grave jeopardy (11). It is therefore, in Christening party, they indirectly condemn the marriage of Olivia Carteret’s father with a nigger woman many years back, from which a baby-girl Janet, Olivia’s half-sister, was born. Mrs. Ochiltree also passes insulting remarks about the black community, and appears to be determined to safeguard herself and her money against any crime committed by a nigger (20). The novel reveals that Janet has been married to Dr. Miller, who maintains plans for the socioeconomic uplift of his community. Major Carteret ridicules the honesty of black servant Sandy, admired praised by Delamere, his master; as he does not confine his abhorrence to himself and family; on the contrary, he propagates against the blacks, and refutes the possibility of accepting interracial marriages as legal ones in the local newspaper in order to influence the minds of other white people too against the African Americans (28-29). In addition, he also persuades the dominant and influential white individuals to strive to cleanse the area of the monstrous Negroes (33). Chapter V discusses how Dr. Miller is forced to travel in separate Jim Crow car, because of being the member of black community, and hence an intellectual is also treated with displeasure like ordinary African Americans by the white people (52). Since Dr. Miller is interested in establishing a hospital for the blacks in Wellington, it clearly reveals that the blacks did not have access to the healthcare centers meant for the white population. Nevertheless, it also demonstrates that the blacks also disliked the whites, and racial hatred co-existed in both sides in the town. Somehow, his assistance to his white teacher Dr. Burns in the treatment process of Dodie Carteret proves that the well-educated stratum of society was comparatively less prejudiced and biased towards other racial groups (77-78). The author elucidates the dogged-will of the white elites including Belmont and McBane for expelling the blacks from the town and humiliating them at any cost by involving them into false cases and disputed criminal affairs (81-83). The next chapter introduces Janet and Dr. Price, and exclaims Mrs. Carteret’s detestation for Janet for being the member of mixed race (98). Although, Janet does not appear to be biased, yet the behavior of whites also creates prejudice in her heart. The novel also reveals Aunt Polly’s confession in the presence of Olivia how the former stole marriage papers of her father and stepmother Julia, which deprived Julia of her share in the property of Olivia’s father (112). The author demonstrates the continuous struggle made by the whites to oust the blacks from both legislature and cabinet. Chesnutt alludes to fifteenth amendment, which proves his command on social and political developments being made during his era in the USA. The author exhibits his exposure about the life and activities of the elite stratum, and endorses that the members of elite class do not hesitate in fooling their friends, as McBane wins one thousand dollars in gambling after turning Tom extremely drunk and out of senses (124). The latter developments in the novel show the murder of Aunt Polly, along with plundering of her money, which creates harassment in the environment. Being a poor black servant, Sandy is blamed for the same, and white people arrest him with the allegation of murder and looting, though Tom Delamere was the real culprit (157). Sandy was about to be lynched, when Mr. Delamere, Tom’s uncle, came to his rescue, and protects him with the plea of alibi from the crime spot (198). The author further discusses the developments made by the US governments in respect of granting further rights to the blacks, which infuriate the white community of wellington town. Out of sheer rage, they raise an armed riot against the blacks, killing Olivia’s black nurse Mammy Jane, Dr. Miller’s young child, and Josh Green, where Green also kills McBane during the course of riot (279). Since the riot has also caused injuries several white people, and Olivia’s son is also among those injured during riot. She rushes to her half-sister Janet, and begs help from her husband Dr. Miller, who reluctantly agrees to make medical treatment of the child at the eve his own son has been killed by the whites. The novel contains deep moral lesson in its theme; it partially condemns the racial discrimination due to the very fact that it is strictly against humanity, and hurts them in one way or the other. In addition, racial hatred brings destruction and turmoil, and puts the peace of society into grave jeopardy. Thirdly, the ethno-racial prejudice inflicts humiliation, repentance and regrets due to the very fact that humans may have to consult the members of rival ethnic communities in order to seek their support in one way or the other. Consequently, Chesnutt has penned down a topic of imperative significance and vital interest, utility and importance of which will never decline for the future decades to come. Read More