Charles chesnutt the marrow of tradition. The Marrow of Tradition Study Guide 2022-10-20
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Charles Chesnutt was an African American writer, lawyer, and activist who is best known for his novels and short stories that explore themes of race, identity, and social justice. One of Chesnutt's most notable works is "The Marrow of Tradition," a novel that was published in 1901 and is considered to be a classic of African American literature.
"The Marrow of Tradition" is set in the fictional town of Wellington, which is based on Wilmington, North Carolina, where Chesnutt grew up. The novel tells the story of the town's white elite and their efforts to maintain their social and political power in the face of growing resistance from African Americans and other marginalized groups.
At the center of the novel is the character of Dr. Alexander Broughton, a white doctor who is trying to navigate the complex and often-turbulent landscape of race relations in the South. Broughton is a well-respected member of the community and is considered to be one of the town's leading citizens. However, he is also a man of conscience who is deeply troubled by the injustice and inequality that he sees all around him.
As the novel progresses, Broughton finds himself caught up in a series of events that threaten to shatter the fragile peace of the town. He becomes embroiled in a political and social conflict that pits the white elite against the African American community, and he is forced to confront his own biases and prejudices as he struggles to find a way forward.
Throughout "The Marrow of Tradition," Chesnutt uses the character of Broughton to explore the complex and often-contradictory nature of race relations in the South. He shows how the legacy of slavery and segregation has shaped the lives of both white and black Americans, and he presents a nuanced and thought-provoking portrait of a society that is divided by race and class.
In conclusion, "The Marrow of Tradition" is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that explores the themes of race, identity, and social justice with sensitivity and insight. Charles Chesnutt was a brilliant writer who used his talents to shed light on the difficult issues of his time and to inspire his readers to think critically about the world around them.
The Marrow of Tradition by Charles W. Chesnutt
With awakened curiosity Miller followed the direction of the negro's glance, and saw that it rested upon a window where Captain McBane sat looking out. That editorial in the negro newspaper is good campaign matter. Delamere's carriage came for him, and he went away accompanied by Sandy. I kind er 'lowed I wuz gone a dozen times, ez it wuz. Tom did not think that the world was using him well of late; bad luck had pursued him, in cards and other things, and despite his assumption of humility, Carteret's lecture had left him in an ugly mood. At noon, when the editor, having laid down his pen, was leaving the office, he passed Jerry in the hall without a word or a nod.
This untimely accident of the rattle, a fatality for which no one could be held responsible, had confirmed the unlucky omen. She had graduated from the mission school, and had received some instruction in Dr. Burns was a distinguished specialist of national reputation. I shall want you to assist me. Price to come immediately, Philip, before my baby chokes to death! The negro had no vote before the rebellion, and few other rights, and yet the negro question was, for a century, the pivot of 92 THE MARROW OF TRADITION American politics. He is a white child in a new generation of Southern racial conflict. I s'pose he jus' fergot erbout it.
She stood beside Clara, watching the retreating buggy. These old-time negroes, she said to herself, made her sick with their slavering over the white folks, who, she supposed, favored them and made much of them because they had once belonged to them,—much the same reason why they fondled their cats and dogs. Domestic life, therefore, is contingent on political life in regards to race. As a physician his method was to ease pain—he THE OPERATION 75 would rather take the risk of losing a patient from the use of an anesthetic than from the shock of an operation. The second pair is Janet Miller and Olivia Carteret.
Charles W. Chesnutts The Marrow Of Tradition Essay Essay on Literature, Novel
The irony is that this freedom also places a great deal of strain and violence upon the African American community. General Belmont was not without a gentleman's distaste for meanness, but he permitted no fine scruples to stand in the way of success. The race which at the last shall inherit the earth—the residuary legatee of civilization—will be the race which remains longest upon it. Old Mammy Jane, still burdened by her fears, fervently prayed the Good Lord to spare the life of the dear sweet little grandson of her good dear old mistress. Carteret, she left the room without a word, ignoring Mammy Jane completely, and leaving that venerable relic of ante-bellum times gasping in helpless astonishment.
Charles W. Chesnutt: The Marrow of Tradition on JSTOR
They published inflammatory statements in the Morning Chronicle and the revolution quickly became a riot which engulfed the town. For her own part, they gave her nothing but her wages, and small wages at that, and she owed them nothing more than equivalent service. Education is spoiling them, Jane; they have been badly taught. Having finished this pleasant ceremony, which left him with a comfortable sense of his new dignity, the major turned to his desk. I would n't say anything against Delamere if I could. An old black woman, dressed in a gingham frock, with a red bandana handkerchief coiled around her head by way of turban, was seated by an open window. If they don't stop till they get the color they desire, and the stuff works according to contract, they'll all be white.
The Society sponsors activities to advance these studies — the humanities, the social sciences, and the natural sciences — in higher education and in society at large. Toward evening the train drew up at a station where quite a party of farm laborers, fresh from their daily toil, swarmed out from the conspicuously labeled colored waiting-room, and into the car with Miller. He resumed the conversation where it had been broken off, but nevertheless followed with his eyes the conductor, who stopped at a seat near the forward end of the car, and engaged in conversation with a man whom Miller had not hitherto noticed. Chesnutt uses the literary techniques of the omniscient narrator and the aside to present his own moral case against racial violence and prejudice. That there were some white men who had learned little and forgotten nothing goes without saying, for knowledge and wisdom are not impartially distributed among even the most favored race. We must make known our disapproval. A new element had been added to the major's consciousness, broadening the scope and deepening the strength of his affections.
Tom gave his arm to followed with Clara. Price, who examined the child carefully. The suspense was relieved by the arrival of Dr. He was fond of excitement, and found a great deal of it in cards. The birds in the garden were singing lustily. There were a few fair men, prepared to admit, privately, that a class constituting half to two-thirds of the population were fairly entitled to some representation in the law-making bodies.
The marrow of tradition : Chesnutt, Charles W. (Charles Waddell), 1858
You kin come ez soon as you wanter an' stay ez long ez you mineter. A clean sweep had been made of the offices in the State, which were now filled by new men. He was a member, proposed by Carteret, of the Clarendon Club, where cards were indulged in within reasonable limits, and a certain set were known to bet dollars in terms of dimes. He had sloping shoulders, small hands and feet, and walked with the leisurely step characteristic of those who have been reared under hot suns. For two long hours they fought back the grim specter that stood by the bedside.
