A Gathering of Old Men: Importance of standing up for oneself
“If you fell down yesterday, stand up today”. This quote by H. G. Wells is seen in the novel A Gathering of Old Men. The novel, taking place in the 1970s, was in a time in which African-Americans still suffered heavy discrimination. After years of taking this abuse, when an incident comes in which a white man lays dead at the hands of a black man, which would eventually call for a lynching, the discriminated unite. They show that despite their tortured past, they still possess their bravery, power, and pride. This dramatic novel by Ernest J. Gaines, A Gathering of Old Men, written in a critical tone employs the use of characterization, flashbacks, and symbolism to express the theme that there comes a time one must stand up for him or herself.
In the book, a character named Mathu is one who does not falter in up keeping his pride. From the very beginning, he never let anyone insult him because of his African-American heritage. He always stands up for himself, even facing a white man, and never faltered, even when he was sent to jail. Because of this attitude, Mathu was respected even by some white men like Mapes who “knowed Mathu had never backed down from anybody, either. Maybe that’s why he liked him” (Gaines 84). Mathu was like a strong rock, the attempts of others at making him submit were but pebbles against his overpowering pride and dignity. A character that Mathu attempted to instill some lessons on becoming a man was Charlie. Charlie, despite his mild character was a large man towering at 6feet 7inches and weighing 275 pounds. Beau Boutan, Charlie’s boss and some others often ridiculed him with names like “Big Charlie” and “nigger boy” because of his mild character (Gaines 187). Charlie however, after observing Mathu’s strong pride and refusal to let anyone step over that pride, eventually gained some courage to stand up for himself. After he killed Beau and ran away, he came back and was ready to atone for his deed. Gaines used this event in the novel
In the book, a character named Mathu is one who does not falter in up keeping his pride. From the very beginning, he never let anyone insult him because of his African-American heritage. He always stands up for himself, even facing a white man, and never faltered, even when he was sent to jail. Because of this attitude, Mathu was respected even by some white men like Mapes who “knowed Mathu had never backed down from anybody, either. Maybe that’s why he liked him” (Gaines 84). Mathu was like a strong rock, the attempts of others at making him submit were but pebbles against his overpowering pride and dignity. A character that Mathu attempted to instill some lessons on becoming a man was Charlie. Charlie, despite his mild character was a large man towering at 6feet 7inches and weighing 275 pounds. Beau Boutan, Charlie’s boss and some others often ridiculed him with names like “Big Charlie” and “nigger boy” because of his mild character (Gaines 187). Charlie however, after observing Mathu’s strong pride and refusal to let anyone step over that pride, eventually gained some courage to stand up for himself. After he killed Beau and ran away, he came back and was ready to atone for his deed. Gaines used this event in the novel
Cited: Gaines, Ernest J. A Gathering of Old Men. Vintage Books: New York, 1983 "H. G. Wells." BrainyQuote.com. Xplore Inc, 2013. 13 December 2013. http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/h/hgwells163592.html