Character Analysis Of TJ In Roll Of Thunder, Hear My Cry

Thomas Aquinas once said, “There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship.” In the novel, Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor, Stacey should choose T.J as his friend. T.J would make the better friend because it is socially acceptable, he is able to give important information and finally because Jeremy's family has the power to falsely accuse Stacey of a crime.

T.J is a much better choice for a friend because it is socially acceptable by the community. It is Christmas and Jeremy has just come to visit and papa is talking to Stacey about Jeremy and T.J. It states on page 157, “Papa took the pipe from his mouth, rubbed his mustache and spoke quietly. ‘Far as I’m concerned, the friendship between black and white

Right now you and Jeremy might get along fine, but in a few years he’ll think of himself as a man but, you’ll probably still be a boy to him. And if he feels that way, he’ll turn on you in a minute.’” Moreover, this evidence shows that T.J would be the more suitable choice for a friend because Jeremy, the other choice, could transform against Stacey resulting in many repercussions. Furthermore, T.J would at least be able to go the same school and nobody would look twice but, if Jeremy and Stacey were to engage being friends both parties could be hurt by each other or by other people. A few sentences later papa then tells Stacey an important piece of advice. In the article, “The five pillar of Jim crow laws” It states, “Black people were rarely shown common courtesy by white people. In fact, whites often picked out for individual blacks for harassment. White people could threaten, beat, rape, torture, and kill blacks with little fear of punishment.” Moreover, this explains that being friends with Jeremy could cause pain or other horrible things yet being friends with T.J would resolve to

This quote basically represents that if Stacey were to choose Jeremy as a friend then bad things, such as possibly getting falsely accused of a crime might happen. In the article, “The five pillars of Jim crow laws” is states, “ The lynching of Rubin Stacy in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, July 19, 1935. Like many people during the Great Depression, Mr. Stacy was probably without a job when he knocked on the door of Marion Jones, a white woman, to ask for food. Ms. Jones first said Mr. Stacy threatened her with harm, but after his murder she recanted. Lynchings were the ultimate expression of white supremacy during Jim Crow.” Moreover, this explains that If Stacey were to be caught touching Jeremy this could happen to him especially if Jeremy were have malevolent actions towards Stacey or wanted to retaliate against him with insidious things.. Furthermore, this also explains that if T.J. were Stacey's friend that this would not happen since this law does not apply to colored people. It is Christmas time in the book and Papa goes on to explain why Stacey can not be friends with the baleful Jeremy. On page 158 it states, “‘We Logans don’t have much to do with white folks. You know why? ‘Cause white folks mean trouble. You see blacks hanging ‘round with whites, they’re headed for trouble. Maybe one-day whites and blacks can be real friends,