Analysis Of Doubles In Charles Chesnutt´s The Marrow Of Tradition

Charles Chesnutt’s The Marrow of Tradition utilizes multiple pairs of doubles to suggest one’s race does not undermine the morals within a person.

In a novel filled with racial injustice and post Civil War mentalities, sanctimonious, white supremacists feel the need to denigrate alleged, inferior blacks. Doubles including Josh Green and Captain McBane are quite similar despite their race. McBane is a violent, white supremacist who still holds the same morals prevalent during the Civil War. However, Josh Green is a black, agressive man who possesses the same violent nature as McBane, yet stands for black rights. Sandy, a faithful, black servant, is accused of being a murderer and thus, McBane feels the need to lash out upon him. For instance,

Half-sisters Janet Miller and Olivia Carteret could be seen as doubles in a book, with multiple, scandalous affairs resulting in mixed-race children. Throughout the book, Olivia completely ignores Janet, while on the other hand, Janet envies Olivia and the entire idea of having a sister. Black servant, Mammy Jane, explains “Dis yer Janet, w’at’s Mis’ ‘Livy’s half-sister, is ez much lile [like] her ez ef dey wuz twins. Folks sometimes takes ‘em fer one ernudder” (pg 5). This is quite significant to the overall theme which Chesnutt wishes to convey. By Chesnutt choosing to include this detail about Janet and Olivia, readers can infer that Chesnutt wants readers to infer a deeper meaning. Mammy Jane comparing Olivia to Janet is symbolic of blacks being equivalent to white in terms of social class being that Olivia is white and Janet is black. In short, Mammy Jane’s belief in Olivia and Janet looking alike (like they were twins) is representative of the white race and black race being equal; thus, no particular race is morally superior to the