Transforming a “Hog” into a Man and the Cultural Impact of Colorism By: Jahziel James
Compelling in every sense of the word best sums up Ernest J. Gaines, A Lesson before Dying. Taken place during the 1940s in a segregated Cajun community, we witness the disadvantages, setbacks, harsh dilemmas and burdens carried on the backs and hearts of the African American people as an apparent result of slavery. We also bear witness to the fact that history does in actuality repeat itself. Within the text, we see quite evidently how James Joyce’s, Ivy Day in the Committee Room, correlate to the truth made by Gaines that, those living in the present have a rather difficult time taking the necessary steps needed to improve the circumstances and lives of those still oblivious and ignorant to the harsh realities that surround them. This truth is brought to light when we witness and experience protagonist Grant Wiggin’s hesitation to transform Jefferson from being the hog him and so many others believed he was, into the man he was capable of being. This hesitation as we come to know it stems from a fear and ignorance of the power of one’s voice. It also comes from the fear of becoming exactly what those who held power claimed he was destined for.
Before further analysis in regards to the correlation between James Joyce’s Ivy Day in the Committee Room, and the novel itself, it is worth mentioning first, the correlation between the ability to withhold power and one’s skin color. The harsh effects of colorism reveal itself in a conversation between Grant and Professor Antoine in Chapter 8.
I’m Creole. Do you know what a Creole is? A lying cowardly bastard. Did you know that? […] I was afraid to run away. What am I? Look at me. Where else could I have felt superior to so many but here? […] Do you feel superior to me? I asked him. Of course, he said. Don’t be damned fool. I am superior to you. I am superior to any man blacker than me. Is that why you hate me? I asked him. Exactly, he said. Because that superior sonofabitch out there said I am you. Do you think he is superior to you? I asked him. Of course, he said (Gaines 65).
In this thought provoking conversation, we see a man who is dependent on who he believes is superior to him. We see a man who stands behind the socially constructed phenomena that tells him his position in society. We witness an educated man who swears by the phenomena that deems him superior to others of a darker skin completion. According to the American Sociological Association, an article written by Mark Hill, entitled, Skin Color and the Perception of Attractiveness among African Americans: Does Gender Make a Difference? We learn this,
Studies show that lighter skinned African Americans are more likely to have higher status occupations, higher incomes, and more years of schooling than their darker skinned counter-parts, even when parental characteristics and other variables related to adult socioeconomic status are considered. Such findings have led scholars to conclude that color stratification among African Americans stems from the persistence of a deeply embedded racial paradigm that perceives character, merit, and prestige through as distorting lens of color (Hill 77).
It is then safe to assume that Professor Antoine is just a mere product of his environment. It was embedded in him from the beginning to believe that because he was mixed race, he was much more superior to those who inhabited just black blood. Until one is able to step outside of him or herself to see that the superiority complex is only designed to keep one group of people on top and another below, we will continue to encounter individuals with the same mindset as Professor Antoine who pride themselves with the idea that because of their white mother or grandparent, they are some sort of gift to society. And the moment a person bursts their bubble by telling them they are just like every other colored person, that pride explodes and self-pity, anger and hate takes its place. Once again as before mentioned, we see how history repeats itself. No longer are shackles placed on our feet, no longer are we whipped for minor offences, and no longer do we have to address the white man and woman with the term sir/miss. Instead, a new system has taken its place. Instead of shackles on our feet, we are prohibited from obtaining certain positions due to the harsh realities of racism and colorism. Instead of being whipped physically, we are whipped emotionally and unfairly thrown into a prison cell. Instead of being deemed inferior blatantly, we are treated as monsters as police gun us down without having to pay the consequences for our deaths. In the context of the novel, we see blatant segregation amongst schools, churches and communities. We witness the unjust and unfair treatment of blacks. Because Jefferson is a man of color his truth is automatically seen as a lie. He is also portrayed as a hog, a domesticated pig, which is associated with that of greed, gluttony and uncleanliness.
Going back to the correlation James Joyce’s, Ivy Day in the Committee Room we see a similar truth between both texts. In James Joyce’s, Ivy Day in the Committee Room, we witness a group of men who cannot seem to get over the past which in turn prohibits them from taking necessary actions. In a similar context, we witness Professor Antoine who is stuck on the fact that he should have left the town when he had the opportunity, he then advises Grant to do the same while degrading him in the same breath, “You have to go away to know about life. There’s no life here. There’s nothing but ignorance here. You want to know about life? Well, it’s to late. Forget it. Just go on and be the nigger you were born to be (Gaines 65).” Because he threw away his opportunity as a result of wanting to remain superior, he tries to stifle the possibility of Grant leaving. Another great correlation stems from Grants initial hesitation to talk, teach, counsel and enlighten Jefferson on the truth that he was a man. Unlike Professor Antoine and all the others who doubted his ability to get through to Jefferson, Grant brought about the necessary change so many could have but didn’t.
All in all, we bear witness to the truth that history does have a clever way of repeating itself. We also learn through the deed of Grant that if change is something one aspires to create, it can happen. We do not have to succumb to or accept the harsh realities surrounding us, we all have within us the boldness to create change.
Quiz
1. Why was the main goal to transform Jefferson into a man instead of fighting for his innocence?
2. What issues made Grant hesitant at first to teach Jefferson the ways in which to become a man?
3. Was Miss Emma’s mission carried out? Did Jefferson die as a man?