People have always had a need for a scape goat, for someone to blame for their problems. For Hitler it was the Jews, who he accused of ruining Germany and in parts of British society today, people accuse economic migrants for taking all the jobs. During the period of the 1930s, in the Deep South, black people were the scape goats. In fact they were treated so unfairly, that racism was a natural part of every day life since slaves had been settled there. This settlement of black slaves ensured that black people were seen as less than whites. The examples of this in literature that I am going to study are the actions and dialogue of Crooks, the black stable buck, and the way he is treated by others in Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck; Hyacinth, the black character who is lynched, and the comments by the white lynch mob in Justice at Night by Martha Gellhorn; and Tom Robinson, a black man accused of rape, and the attitude of white characters around this event in To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Black people were blamed for many of the negative events that happened during that time; including the Wall Street Crash, the Great Depression, and the Dust Bowl.
The Wall Street Crash was the most grave stock market crash of the 20th Century. It resulted from an inflated view of wealth and prosperity. This over reliance on the stock market to maintain prosperity was its undoing. Once the confidence in the system went, the subsequent panic and pressure on financial institutions removed this inflated view of wealth. The impact was worldwide and its effects on the United States of America were devastating. Historians often associate the start of the Great Depression with this rapid and entire collapse of the United States stock market on October 29th 1929. This day was called Black Tuesday.
The Great Depression was an episode of severe worldwide economic and financial uncertainty. The timing of the depression was varied. Most countries fell into this depression, but at different times, causing a ripple effect of economic uncertainty across the world. As well as being an economic depression it was also a period of extremely low morale. During this time in the United States suicide rates dramatically increased, along with people being admitted to mental institutions.
The Dust Bowl or the Dirty Thirties was a period of freak dust storms causing major ecological damage to American farmland from 1930 to 1938. This was a huge ecological disaster caused by maltreatment of the farming land and years of continuous drought. Millions of acres of farmland became useless and this combined with economic uncertainty created even more unemployment. Migrants and itinerant workers converged on California to farm crops and fruit for poor wages as this was one of the few places where employment was increasing. The author John Steinbeck later produced novels about such people; novels such as Of Mice and Men and The Grapes of Wrath.
I think that these dire events intensified racist attitudes in an area that had maintained them after the American Civil War. My definition of racism is the belief that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule or dominate other races.". This was exemplified by Jim Crow. Jim Crow was a system of segregation used to discriminate against black people. It had been practised in the southern states soon after the civil war. This system was maintained well into the 1960s, even though in 1875 congress passed a civil rights act, making it illegal to discriminate against anyone on the basis of race. The north and south of the USA became more divided, with the southern states continued implementation of segregation against black people. Such a system was supported by established attitudes in the Southern States before the civil war and their reaction to a more liberal north lead to the creation of groups such as the Klu Klux Klan. The Ku Klux Klan is a white supremacist group whos declared intention was to protect the rights of and further the security of white Americans by brutality and terror. Racism continued and in the south intensified during the 1930s, because of the economic uncertainty and the conflicting attitudes of politicians in the north and southern states of America.
Of Mice and Men was written by John Steinbeck in 1936. It was written based on his own experiences as a migrant worker. John Steinbeck uses this novel to explore many themes. One of these is separation and all characters in the novel reflect some aspect of this.
Crooks is separated from the other characters by his colour. He represents the southern black migrant workers and how they are treated. Almost exclusively he is referred to as nigger. This view of Crooks appears as a natural one throughout the novel. He is first mentioned in chapter two by Candy, another migrant worker. He explains to George and Lennie when they meet for the first time, The stable bucks a nigger. This combined with, he is nice fella too (P.21) shows that racist comments are part of every day conversation, when Candy combines an insult with a compliment. We can see that Candy has got nothing against Crooks and actually thinks he is a good man, but explains what he is through an unthinking derogatory remark because he accepts it is the natural order of things.
As Crooks is black he is physically segregated from the white migrant workers. He is not allowed to sleep in the bunkhouse as this would have offended them. Crooks resents this, he is hurt by it and he is lonely; as he states: Cause Im black. They play cards in there, but I cant play because Im black. (P.68) Crooks understands this segregation is because he is black. Crooks is also wise enough to accept it because if he argued against the segregation his position would be under threat. Therefore, he says little, even though he feels bitter about the situation.
His own accommodation is poor and it wouldnt have been accepted by a white migrant worker. It was a small space with an inadequate bed which was a long box filled with straw, on which a couple of his blankets were flung. (P.66). As he has a back problem this bed could make his back worse and showed how little his employers cared for him. The white migrant workers get a more comfortable bed because they had sacks to prevent them from having direct contact with straw and therefore reducing the itching. George stepped over and threw down his blankets on a burlap bag of straw that was a mattress. (P.20). Crooks back problem was caused by an accident with a horse, which has left him with a crooked back. This onsite accident has made him more secure with his job than any other migrant worker, because his work is based around animals, rather than the seasonal work of other migrant workers. This is ironic as black migrant workers at this time would have been fired for more easily than the white migrant worker as they were valued less. As he is more secure in his job he had acquired more possessions than the other migrant workers.
These possessions give the reader a surprising insight into Crooks as we do not see a stereotypical Negro as Steinbeck shows a different side to him. His first possession mentioned and I think one of the most important is that he has pegs in his room. These show that he is a proud man. I believe this because he makes an effort to keep his room tidy by arranging the items on the pegs. This is shown in Steinbecks description of his room, This room was swept and fairly neat. (P.67). It reflects the pride he has in keeping this pitiable accommodation tidy. Other items that are quite important to him are his work tools. These consist of curved knifes, spare straps for the saddles, and needle work implements. I think that he is enjoys his work because these items take pride and place in his room on the pegs. Another item that I think is very important is the alarm clock. I think it is important because it shows a sign of loneliness. I think this because he is the only black migrant worker therefore meaning he is the only one segregated to the barn. Crooks has no one to wake him up or tell him important times in the day such as dinner time. Other items which show loneliness are the reading materials in his room. I think this because reading is a solitary activity that doesnt involve other people, usually. These books also shows he likes to know where he stands. He has a mauled copy of the California civil code for 1905.(P.67). This indicates he likes to know his rights because it is so heavily read, but Crooks never acts on these rights he accepts how he is treated even though it makes him cynical. Also I think his possessions would shock the racist characters in this book because they are ignorant of Crooks abilities and would assume that black people are not educated at all. All of these possessions show he is a proud and intelligent hard working man, better educated than most of the other migrant workers, yet he still seen as a lesser person by the white migrant workers because he is black. If I say something its just a nigger sayin it. (P. 74)
As Crooks is black he is treated differently by the characters in the story depending on their attitudes towards black people. Crooks first encounter with Lennie, who suffers from learning difficulties so his mind is really like a childs; allows Lennie to treat Crooks like any other person and even tries to make friends with him. Lennie does not understand the accepted relationship between black and white in this society. Lennie smiled helplessly in an attempt to make friends. (P.67). This illustrates Lennies naivety as Crooks being black does not stop Lennie wanting to be his friend. However Crooks takes advantage of this naivety and because of his harsh treatment by society. He does this by taunting him and using the very rare position of having power over a white man. As Lennie is so nave and not very bright, Crooks has a position of power that he wouldnt normally have over a white person. He makes comments like Spose George dont come back no more. Theyll tie ya up with a collar, like a dog. (P.71). These comments obviously distress Lennie through the way he reacts. Crooks enjoys this rare moment of power over a white man. Lennie reacts aggressively which scares Crooks and he takes a different approach to try and get Lennie to understand what its like to be lonely. Crooks reflects on his own situation further making it clear to the reader his own position, Sometimes he gets thinkin, an he got nothing to tell him whats so an what aint so. (P.72)
Candy treats Crooks differently than Lennie does. The reason for this is Candys upbringing. He hasnt known anything else other than an inborn racist culture. When the reader first meets Candy he describes the stable buck as a nigger and a nice fellah too (p.21) an insult and compliment going together. Candy sees no offence using the word nigger, he sees it as a way of describing someone. Though when Candy is around Crooks, for example when he was in his room; he acts awkwardly and embarrassed because he has never been into Crooks room even though they have worked at the same ranch for a long time. Candy doesnt feel at ease being in his room because Crooks is a black man. Candy even has to be invited into Crooks room. Crooks said irritably, You can come in if you want. (P.74). When Crooks declares that: Guys dont come into a colored mans room very much. (P.75). Candy becomes embarrassed and changes the subject quickly as he recognises even though they have worked together for a long time they can never be true work mates because of Crooks colour.
Curleys wife is unpleasant particularly to those characters she feels are weak and she behaves in a very racist way when she talks to Crooks. She knows she has power over him and uses it when she comes to Crooks room. She directly addresses him as a nigger (P.78) whereas Candy and Lennie dont. As a result of her taunting, Crooks shouts at her and tells her to get out of his accommodation. As a consequence, she threatens Crooks as she knows she has power over him; Well then keep your place then, nigger. I can get you strung up a tree so easy it isnt even funny.(P.80) This threat clearly indicates the racist culture in the ranch; both Crooks and Curleys wife know their place in this society. Crooks immediately becomes retiring and almost as if he doesnt want be seen. It is a natural act of self preservation; something he probably has had to do before. Steinbeck describes this as: Crooks had reduced himself to nothing. (P.80). He becomes neutral, almost untouchable Yes maam, and his voice was toneless. (P.80). He is no longer a target for Curleys wife and she soon leaves. Crooks knows of all the workers he is the easiest target because he is black, he knows no-one will take his word against a white womans, even with witnesses. This incident reveals the attitudes towards black people and the power even someone like Curleys wife had.
From this novel the status of black people is clearly indicated. They are second class, isolated from whites and in the power of any white person no matter what their own status is. This is brought even more sharply into focus in Justice at Night when whites decide to take the law in their own hands.
Justice at Night was written by Martha Gellhorn. It was from the book, The View from the Ground. It was based on her own experiences travelling across America. The title itself has irony as it is clear as the story unfolds the black boy being lynched will not be receiving any justice.
This short story recalls the lynching of a black man called Hyacinth. He is accused of raping a woman who he used to work for, but this has not been proven. At the start of the story Martha Gellhorn and her friend get picked up from their broken down car by two men heading for the lynching. As they travel in the truck they hear many racist comments made by the truck drivers. Their comments are casual as though the lynching is some accepted social event like going to a dance, Then he reappeared and said theyd give us a lift to Columbia later, but first they were going to a lynching if we didnt mind the detour (P.1). This is echoed by the truck drivers once the lynching is complete: Well get you to Columbia now. Sorry we hadta keep you waiting (P.4) This casual attitude of the white lynch mob shows in stark contrast to the death of Hyacinth and gives the reader a greater feeling of revulsion to this act.
Their comments and actions throughout the story completely dehumanise Hyacinth. He is worth nothing in their eyes. Hyacinth was about nineteen, though you couldnt always tell niggers (P. 2) this very insulting, as they are generalising that all black people look the same, no matter how old or young they are. The second remark, you gotta take a white womans word any time before you take a niggers (P. 2). Both comments are stereotypical and generalise about the behaviour and appearance of black people. There is no understanding that you should identify with the individual rather than the race. The remarks they make is that all black people are untrustworthy and violent against white people. As the truck drivers explain the events of the case it is clear to the reader that they ignore the obvious evidence even when Joe tries to point it out and when he tries to explain the actions of Hyacinth they revert to threats Lissen sonny, the man with the bottle said quietly, finally, this aint none of your goddam business. (P. 3).
Racist attitudes in this short story are clearly portrayed even in the way the police treat Hyacinth, the boy who will be lynched. They just let it happen. It is as though the law does not recognise black people. This is appalling because he is given no chance to defend his case such as they do for Tom Robinson in To kill a Mockingbird. They just let people spring him from the jail and lynch him. It is commented on by the truck drivers that the sheriff dont plan on holding that nigger till trial time. These established racist comments I think that this dreadful but this is also shown in the film Mississippi Burning where the police are involved with the lynching of a black man. This shouldnt happen but it shows just how inherent the racism was at this time.
Hyacinths treatment up to the lynching also shows the racist behaviour in the south. They make him treat him as an animal. The white people do this by tying his hands up and also tying a rope around his waist. To add to that they also drag him, and dont let him walk which means he has to go on all fours making him look like an animal. To also make him feel as though he has no protection at all they have stripped away his top. There is a description given by Martha Gellhorn which describes him and well just actually shows what the white people went out to do which was to make him feel small and unprotected. He looked too small and far too quiet. This confirms the earlier suspicion that Hyacinth was not physically strong enough to rape this woman.
Also the tension is built through the general craft of the writing. The writer uses many different techniques to make sure that the reader is fully immersed and involved in the writing. Techniques such as writing in the first person makes you feel you are there. Martha Gellhorn uses short sentences to space out the story making the reader want to know more. This also builds tension to increase the readers experience of this appalling act in the short story. A man climbed up on to the roof of the car. Another. They stood black against the sky. It becomes threatening. Martha Gellhorn also uses effective and accurate description, like a news reporter, to give the reader the images she once witnessed. Tattered clothes, the usual thin unhinged bodies, that soiled look of people who live in little crowded places. (P.3). The descriptions in this section gives the reader the feeling of something furtive and unpleasant, a reflection of what these people are about to do.
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