Author Archives: rbartsc1

“Thus all art is propaganda and ever must be, despite the wailing of the purists. I stand in utter shamelessness and say that whatever art I have for writing has been used always for propaganda for gaining the right of black folk to love and enjoy. I do not care a damn for any artContinue reading “Class Discussion, 4/22”

Was the end of The Marrow of Tradition a satisfying and/or fitting one? I fear I might be in the minority by saying this, but my answer is yes; I believe it was both. But, Rachel! Most of the African American characters we’ve come to know died, and Major Carteret and his family all remainedContinue reading “Class Discussion, 4/20”

Don’t you just love situational irony? I’m sure Carteret, Belmont, and McBane do. After all, it was Carteret’s article that, referring to the murder and robbery of Mrs. Ochiltree, said, “an atrocious assault upon a defenseless old lady, whose age and sex would have protected her from harm at the hands of anyone but aContinue reading “The Marrow of Tradition (part 2)”

Today, our justice system believes that a person is innocent until proven guilty. But apparently, in the late 19th century, an African American person was guilty until proven innocent. Sandy did nothing wrong, but he was going to suffer a horrific death for a crime committed by a white man. There was evidence mounted againstContinue reading “Class Discussion, 4/15”

McBane saying that “any” black person would do to burn for the crime is significant in a number of ways. First, it reiterates what we already know to be true about McBane: he’s the literal worst (well, he might be in competition with Tom for that title). Second, it proves his lack of care forContinue reading “Class Discussion, 4/13”

Let’s talk about Ellis. Ellis is probably the saddest of all the characters we’ve met thus far. Now, I don’t mean sad as in, “Ellis is sadder than every one else.” I mean that Ellis is the most upsetting, the most irksome, and the most pathetic (in my opinion). Here’s why: He has so muchContinue reading “The Marrow of Tradition”

“Know their place” racism is extremely dangerous because it’s just as toxic as blatant racism, but it is masked by a false sense of appreciation and respect for the abused race. For example, of the three characters in the white supremacist group, McBane is the most blatantly racist. He has no desire to mince wordsContinue reading “Class Discussion, 4/8”

Jane was undoubtedly taught everything she believes to be true and right by her mother. And her mother believed that it was a black person’s place to be reverent and respectful to her white mistress and master–this was how someone of Jane’s color and station was to get by in life. Jane has carried onContinue reading “Class Discussion, 4/6”

Can I just say… I was not expecting Esther to step up like that! I mean, talk about a complete 180 in the best way possible! The first half of the book, she was just the sweetest little thing (and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that). But, let’s be honest, would you rather readContinue reading “The Garies and Their Friends”

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 wereContinue reading “Class Discussion, 4/1”