Class Discussion, 4/1

Discussion question #1: Why does Clarence die at the end, and what does his death signify?

To me, Clarence represented betrayal. He wasn’t a bad person, but he renounced his race, choosing society over things like culture and family. Earlier in the book, Mr. Walters mentions that there are African Americans who wish they were white to escape their troubles. Ester even tells Charlie that she would die if it would make him white. So I’m not condemning Clarence, but, if I had written the book, I’d’ve killed him off too.

His death represented the death of his way of thinking–the desire to act white and look white and talk white. In the end, all of the African American characters who embraced their skin as a part of who they were lived happy, fulfilling lives. This book is trying to tell us that one doesn’t need to follow in Clarence’s footsteps. In fact, you shouldn’t follow in his footsteps. Being black isn’t wrong, and it doesn’t make you unworthy. Like the sentiments in David Walker’s appeals, you are how God made you to be, so you shouldn’t want to be any other way.