ipl-logo

Colum Mccann's Let The Great World Spin

1611 Words7 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Slavery literature

Our Beloved In Let the Great World Spin, by Colum McCann, readers are thrust deep into the lives and decisions of various characters in different societal groupings. The overall message of the book lends itself to the question: “Are we happy with where we are as a society, what we can do if anything, and who really can fix the problems”. Now it seems that as a society we are stuck developmentally and there is a lack of action to change that. Similarly, in Beloved the character of Beloved acts as Sethe’s “boogeyman” that constantly reminds her of the horrors and pains of slavery in her past. Sethe struggles because she just can't let go of her past which stops her from progressing in post-slavery society. In Disgrace a similar theme emerges. …show more content…

Sethe decides that killing her children was better than having them return into slavery, but her black peers find that type of sentiment to be revolting. But, they do not understand why “A pretty little slave girl had recognized a hat, and spilt to the woodshed to kill her children” (Morrison 186). They did not understand the horrors and pain Sethe experienced at Sweet Home and this lack of knowledge prevents them from quantifying Sethe’s action by due consideration. Similarly, the women and girls that are raped by David are prevented from speaking out because of the overpowering masculine presence. Melanie show clear sign of distress, but her inability to complain to someone is made obvious by David’s thought “Today she looks thin and exhausted, she sits huddled over her book. Poor little bird, he thinks, whom I have held against my breast” (Coetzee 29). As the former slaves did not understand why Sethe wanted to kill her children, David is blinded by his masculinity from recognizing the uncomfortable situation he has put Melanie in. All Melanie can do is “raise her chin, meets his eye defiantly.” (Coetzee 32), but she is unable to do anything until her parents recognize her struggle and absences. The Song of Solomon has another example of societal ignorance. The female lover says “Regard ye me not because I am black” (Song of Solomon Song 1 Line 5) because she knows that her relationship is threatened by the social taboo of interracial relationships. Once again, society was ignorant to the fact that whites and blacks are equal, a position that seems racist to us, but currently we are not much

Show More
Related
836 Words | 4 Pages

When housekeeper and babysitter of David, Marie Little Soldier, falls ill, David’s parents privately discuss Uncle Frank’s treatment to patients. Much to David’s curiosity, he eavesdrops in the conversation, hearing, “Wesley, your brother is raping these women. These girls. These Indian girls” (Watson 36). Not only is David shocked to hear such words from his mother, but also these statements were directed to his Uncle Frank, the same man who he praised.

Read More
1017 Words | 5 Pages

The defining moment in David’s inevitable demise is not when he steals the $100 his mother refuses to lend him, but the “altercation, noisy and bitter between this mother and son” as David’s predicament is a clear representation of his mother’s “mismanagement”, though she never takes responsibility for being the source of sin for her children (84). As the altercation continues, Mrs. Wilson’s focus remains on Martha’s death and her not being chosen or saved by Christ, but David becomes quite hostile voices his plans behind his mother’s back to obtain the funds she refused to provide. While one could expect that David would meet his punishment for stealing, but as seen with Elvira, Jane is once again the scapegoat for the children’s crimes despite her insistence that she had nothing to do with the latest scandal within the Wilson household. When it comes to this event, Mrs. Wilson’s behavior is very hostile towards Jane and I believe that this was an overcompensation for the grief she felt at the realization of her child’s sinful behavior, his corruption. It becomes evident that Mrs. Wilson’s egocentric behavior only worsens near the novel’s end, when David finally succumbs to

Read More
757 Words | 4 Pages

The boy gives her the impression that he knows she gains from his struggle, “I don’t know if I am in his power…or if he’s in my power” (14-18). The woman possibly begins to question the idea that the boy is actually living in a subservient white world and wonders who actually has the power now as they sit face to face in person. The woman may be at the top of the social pyramid but is now held at the mercy of this boy who sits across from her. This portrays that there are undistinguished lines between black and whites and leads the woman to doubt if her fortune and social position can defeat the boy’s hostility towards her.

Read More
895 Words | 4 Pages

The book begins with a glimpse into David’s last encounter with his mother before he is taken into protective custody. While jumping out of his mother’s car as she dropped him off at school, his mother instructed David to lie about the origins of the bruises and scars that were scattered about his body due to his mother’s vicious beatings and punishments. The harsh disciplinary measures which his mother imposed on him led David to become the outcast of his school. His hygiene was less than minimal, and his clothes were ragged and filthy. These characteristics of David stood out to his school’s nurse, who had begun keeping track of David’s bruises and scars.

Read More
1723 Words | 7 Pages

When connecting Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl to the material learned in class, Brent provides a firsthand account of the sexual abuse faced by slave women and the injustice faced by their children as they are born into slavery; although they are fathered by white slaveholders. Although Brent’s affair with Mr. Sands was not one of abuse and violence, Brent’s children, Benny and Ellen, were born into slavery and seen as property along with their mother. Brent’s children drive her actions and pursuit for freedom while enduring the sexual advances and abuse from Dr. Flint and threats to separate her from her children, which was faced by many slave

Read More
1345 Words | 6 Pages

In regards to trauma young girls and women who were black suffered through the fact that their first sexual encounter would be an act of rape or sexual abuse. One of the many struggles for several of the women characters with in the text is being a women and a slave at the same time. Their wants and desires has no place under the domination of slavery within the confinement over

Read More
658 Words | 3 Pages

Social Inequality in, ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ Harper Lee demonstrates her terrific writing ability while displaying the theme of social inequality within, ‘To Kill a Mockingbird.’ She uses literary elements like symbolism and imagery to allude to the injustice and prejudice in the town. Without social inequality many of the events in the story would never have happened, especially the main conflict. Lee also used both experiences from her own life and real world events as inspirations in the story. Social inequality in ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ is reinforced by both poverty and racism with black residents being considered inferior to all other people.

Read More
425 Words | 2 Pages

In result of the prejudices, the “limited view of the capabilities of black women, Janie’s grandmother forces her to perpetrate this vicious cycle by ignoring Janie’s wishes for love” (Garland 2). Not only because of her gender, but because of her race Janie is subjected to isolated, abusive marriages. This leads Janie to marry her first husband, Logan. In this marriage she is well respected and secure, but not soon ran away with her second husband. Jody, her second husband, “subjugates Janie to inra-racist remarks and value judgment based on the lightness of her skin.”

Read More
1563 Words | 7 Pages

Today, oppressed women around the world still face difficulty regarding their personal survival, and the survival of their children in their communities. Butler, however, does a tremendous job in presenting the struggle of a woman with their limited ability to help themselves and their love ones. Another key contribution to women oppression is young men and the examples that they have in their lives. Rufus the boy/men from Kindred doesn’t respect the females slave, not even his mother. “He had spent his life watching his father ignore, even sell the children he had had with black women.

Read More
1225 Words | 5 Pages

Dana struggles to understand why this is happening, and she begins to experiment with it. Throughout this novel, there is a shift between mental and physical abuse of slaves used to reveal

Read More
1002 Words | 5 Pages

Aibileen struggles with the death of her son because white people did not offer to help save him. Aibileen adores Mae Mobley despite Elizabeth’s negligent actions. Minny desperately tries to uphold a job to help support her family. All of these topics describe how African American maids were not treated fairly.

Read More
1904 Words | 8 Pages

However, due to the conditions of slavery, this relationship is also characterized by a lack of agency and autonomy, as enslaved individuals were not allowed to make their own choices about whom they would love and marry. Sethe’s and Halle's relationship is affected by the constant threat of separation, as families were frequently separated through the sale of enslaved individuals. This forced separation, coupled with the physical and emotional trauma of slavery, hinders their ability to form a healthy and fulfilling relationship. Furthermore, Halle is not present in the novel and his absence is a reflection of the fact that enslaved individuals were also often denied the opportunity to form meaningful relationships with their spouses and children, and that they were not allowed to have control over their own lives. Moreover, Sethe's trauma has also affected her ability to be a mother, as she struggles to show love and affection to her children.

Read More
814 Words | 4 Pages

It is possible to argue that Mary Logan plays a key role in revealing African American history for children in blunt facts rather than through familial stories. Indeed, she unveils the horrific history of slavery formally at school. Although this subversive act was eventually interrupted by her suspension from work, it surely contributed to the children’s awareness of their identity and their environment as well as their ability to recognize the real from the fabricated. Correspondingly, the African American history is demystified informally for Cassie by her mother after the Strawberry incident. Instead of being overwhelmed by such depressing facts, Cassie decides to upturn the whole situation.

Read More
610 Words | 3 Pages

Black women are treated less than because of their ascribed traits, their gender and race, and are often dehumanized and belittled throughout the movie. They are treated like slaves and are seen as easily disposable. There are several moments throughout the film that show the racial, gender, and class inequalities. These moments also show exploitation and opportunity hoarding. The Help also explains historical context of the inequality that occurred during that time period.

Read More
1183 Words | 5 Pages

Some readers can argue that her actions leads to the conclusion it was consensual; nevertheless, when Lurie invades Melanie’s privacy by showing up at her house and having sexual relationship there it becomes clear that Lurie is abusing the power given to him by his age and gender. When the allegation of harassment is filed, it is never known to the audience what Melanie’s point of view is. David’s decision to accept the charges without reading her statements is an indication that he does not care what she felt, but saw her as a sexual figure. The descriptions of Melanie and other female figures within the novel coincide with the objectification theory. As Szymanski explains “women’s body or body parts are singled out and separated from her as a person”, thus it demonstrates the manner in which David views women.

Read More

More about Colum Mccann's Let The Great World Spin

Open Document