Candy Marshall's Plantation Synopsis

This story is about a murder which occurred on Candy Marshall’s plantation. The murder victim is a man named Beau Boutan, who happened to be the work boss on the Marshall plantation and has already been killed by the beginning of the story. The corpse is discovered by Candy just outside of the house belonging to a man named Mathu. Candy thinks that Mathu is responsible for the murder of Beau Boutan. Candy has everyone on the plantation meet at Mathu’s house. Mathu had been a very strong father figure in Candy’s life since her parents died, so Candy tries to “confess” to the murder when the mistress of the plantation, Miss Merle arrives. She decides to help candy, though she doesn’t believe Candy’s confession. Candy thinks that

Fix was the local cajun, who led lynch mobs against black people in the community. The people expect Fix to show up, since Beau was his son. The Sheriff does not believe Candy’s confession story either, so he questions the old men instead. The first few old men all confessed to the crime. The first two are struck twice by the Sheriff. The third man tells him nothing and is punched hard enough for him to be knocked to the ground. The remaining men are literally lining up to confess and are willing to be consequently abused by the Sheriff if necessary. Their willingness to confess and even be hit intimidates the Sheriff to the point where he stops questioning the men. The Sheriff instead decides to think about this murder for himself. He begins to suspect a man whom Beau worked closely with, named Charlie, but he can’t imagine Charlie killing, because he would not be brave enough. He then promptly concludes that Mathu committed the crime, since he was the only black man who openly defied the local whites by showing his strength and masculinity. The Sheriff, though he suspects Mathu, is unable to arrest anyone, because so many people have confessed

They told stories of family members that had been unjustly punished due to their race. Despite everyone confessing the Beau’s murder, the Sheriff still very confidently suspects Mathu of committing the crime. Gil Boutan, Beau’s brother is a famous football player for Louisiana State University. The halfback of the football team, Cal is black and plays with Gil. The two athletes count on each other to do good. Gil begins to treat Cal harshly after he learns about the death of his brother and presumably after learning about Mathu’s alleged role in the crime. His mental and emotional state worsens after going to the Marshal plantation and seeing the old black men with guns. He goes home to his father. Fix and other racists in the area want the avenge the death of Fix’s son. Gil implores his father not to gather another lynch mob and let whatever happens happen. Gil not only is opposed to joining his family in violent acts, but also fears the negative effects it may have on his aspirations to become and All-American football player. Fix, without the full support of all of his sons, chooses to stay home instead of lead the lynch