Character Analysis: The Mississippi Trial

Ch. 6: Discuss the main event of the plot for chapter 6. What significance do you think Emmett's and Hiram's interaction will play in future chapters? In Mississippi Trial, 1955, the main event in chapter 6 is the saving Emmett Till’s life, the first time. Hiram was fishing (napping with a fishing pole) at the Tallahatchie River when he heard some yowling. He got up and began to investigate. He dove in as he saw someone splashing about and yelling for help. As he pulled the drowning man onto the riverbanks he realized ‘It was a Negro boy, and his short dark hair glistened and dripped water…’. (Mississippi Trial, 1955 page 62) Hiram now knew it was Bobo, also known as Emmett Till. Their interaction foreshadows what will happen to Emmett Till. We already know what happens to Emmett from reading “Getting Away With Murder”. Although neither of them knows it yet, their conversation hints that Emmett may become fish bait. Specifically when Hiram says, ‘“Maybe you ought to stay away from the Tallahatchie while you’re down here. Next time I might not be around to pull you out.”’ (Mississippi Trial, 1955 page 64) Then later, Emmett said, ‘“Hope the lifeguarding business keeps up for you.”’ (Mississippi Trial, 1955 page 65)

Ch. 7: What influences does Hiram's visit with Mr. Paul have on Hiram's

Paul influences Hiram’s understanding of “the way things are” in the South because Mr. Paul had seen what it was like to be in a colored school, in a colors perspective on society. Hiram is innocent when it comes to racism because he doesn’t see anything wrong. Although, when Mr. Paul says ‘“maybe God put different kinds of people on earth so we could all learn to get along. Ever think about that?”’(Mississippi Trial,1955 page 74), Hiram starts thinking. ‘Their future must have seemed hopeless.’ and ‘Then I thought of Emmett. He seemed like a regular kid, even though his skin wasn't the same color as mine.’ (Mississippi Trial, 1955 page