Tuesday, July 21, 2009
chesnutt
My first reaction to tonights readings were a kind of shock. It was very interesting to me how a white man could take on the persona of a black man and I was very interested in the raders reactions. I think that the audience at the time the stories were wirtten were not offended so much by the language used; however, there is no way that the author could have anticipated today's reactions. I read Goophered Grapevine aloud to a few people just so that i could read and translate simultaneously and was emberassed frankly. The shock for me came from the fact that this was not offensive in those times. He, as a white male, introduces the first person character int he beginning as himself and then is allowed to put on this "mask" in order to tell the bulk of the tale through a balck mans eyes. Regardless of how "dated" these pieces may be i think because of thier controvertial nature they are still relevant today.
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I had a very similar reaction when reading this piece. The language used is definitely offensive today and I think that it would have offended some people even when it was written. But, If the story had been written today I think the language would have to be the same. The language helps create the setting and the setting of the story is during a time when that is how people spoke. It is portraying the local color.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the aspect that the texts are still relevant today in the sense it helps remind us that not all racial prejudices have been completely forgot and overcome. While some of our prejudices may not be as extreme as the texts, it still helps understand that what we may feel is okay may be an obvious and exaggerated prejudice that is unnecessary and completely uncalled for.
ReplyDeleteThis novel was almost shocking in how it was written and how this language was almost considered the norm at that time. It is also kind of hard to read, it took me a couple times to fully understand what was trying to be said. I believe it has become more offensive as time moved forward because people started to realize the prejudice this and other novels have over people. This can be a good example of what needs to be done not to have history repeat itself in anyway.
ReplyDeleteIt happens to me when I was reading Chesnutt’s “The Gooperded Grapevine” as well. I have to read word by word out loud. I think Chesnutt is very brave of him to choose to present himself as African American even though he is 7/8 white.
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