South African American Quotes Analysis

-The last paragraph is trying to show white people to open their eyes and help out the movement for antiracism. Many white people talk about how all this is in the past and so they never got the benefit from it. But what Tim is saying is even then the things that their ancestors had is passed down to future generations. It is not like these things just disappear after they die. And so whites have an upper hand. This means that it isn’t fair and so white people should be helping out to break this racist system.

Generational differences can be noted throughout the story, as well. One example is when the grandmother makes mention that in her time, "children were more respectful of their native states and their parents and everything else. People did right then" (O'Connor). Bailey's mother also cares very much about her appearance compared to Bailey's wife, demonstrating another generational difference.

Quotation * “The white man has broken the tribe. And it is my belief—and again I ask your pardon—that it cannot be mended again.”—Msimangu * “I see only one hope for our country, and that is when white men and black men . . . desiring only the good of their country, come together to work for it”--Msimangu * “Cry for the broken tribe, for the law and the custom that is gone. Aye, and cry aloud for the man who is dead, for the woman and children bereaved. Cry, the beloved country, these things are not yet at an end.”—Arthur Jarvis

The final theme of memory is shown as Granny weaves in and out of reality and memories of her past. She seems to find strength from being left at the alter and then finds comfort in the memories of her late husband, John, and her children. The memories of the other man make her a bit uneasy with thoughts that her children would find the letters in the attic. There is one moment that she actually wants to tell her daughter to find George and “be sure and tell him I forgot him.”

The is also probably the first time Granny has ever been in a "life or death" situation, which accounts for her lie. This life-saving lie that has just occurred is a little hint as to what will become of the Southern Code at the end of the novel.

"'Don’t be stupid, mahn. They white, they don’t have to be allies with no black people…Where’s your black intelligence…Thinking like that will get you lost in the backwash of history…I ask both of you, are you awake or sleeping? What is your pahst and where are you

"The colored people are coming to face the fact quite calmly that most white Americans do not like them, and are planning neither for their survival, nor their definite future"

The grandmother demonstrates that she does not see things for how they truly are. We see this when they are driving down to Florida and she sees a Negro boy and goes “ Look at the cute little pickaninny!” (O’Connor 251). She then goes on about in the past, they never had pants because they were expensive, but she goes how cute at a poor boy. Not realizing that the little Negro was poor and had nothing. Also, when the misfit comes and attacks them, she tells him over and over again “ Listen,”... “ I know you’re a good man. You don’t look a bit like you have common blood. I know you must come from good people!” (O’Connor 259). She says this that based on his appearance, which he looks fair, but has strong white teeth, which was uncommon at the time and signifies wealth, that he will not kill a lady because she has manners and feel she is above everyone because of these

A literal interpretation of the grandmother portrays an elderly southern woman attempting to maintain the proper and genteel values of the South. The grandmother places great importance on her appearance and the opinions of others. This importance is revealed at the beginning of their journey when the story compares the grandmother, a reflection of the past, to the daughter-in-law, a reflection of the present:

The children and the ways of the grandmother symbolized the division between the generations in the story. The children, June Star and John Wesley, represent a new generation of unruly and disrespectful people. On the other hand, the grandmother represents the strong, southern heritage and stubborn godly beliefs. The two conflict when they discuss going to Tennessee rather than go to Florida, which is what the grandmother wants to do. June Star, who can read the grandmother like a book, remarks after John Wesley told his grandmother to stay at home if she did not want to go to Florida, "She wouldn't stay at home for a million bucks. Afraid she'd miss something. She has to go everywhere we go." This is a prime example of the loss of respect the children had for the grandmother. The grandmother does nothing but reply, "Alright, Miss." The generation gap creates a stir, but the outcome of the two coinciding might be positive.

     "You're nobody, son.  You don't exist-can't you see that?  The white folk tell everybody what to think-except men like me.  I tell them: that's my life, telling white folk how to think about the things I know about....But I've made my place in it and I'll have every Negro in the country hanging on tree limbs by morning if it means staying where I am" (Ellison 143).

The grandmother’s bigotry is also on display as the family rides past a black youth standing near his modest home. Her reaction to seeing him is like walking past an adorable dog; “Oh look at the cute little pickaninny!” (12). When her granddaughter June Starr comments on the boy’s lack of clothing, the grandmother explains that “little niggers in the country don’t have things like we do” (12). As the grandmother emits racism through her comments, she is also inserting such notion into her grandchildren’s minds. Nor Bailey or his wife says anything, so it can be suggested that they are used to such comments and may hold the same views as well. The grandmother does not see a reason to be empathetic; the boy waves and she does return the gesture. Instead she romanticizes the boy’s plight as a missed opportunity, suggesting that “If [she] could paint, [she’d] paint that picture” (12).

On the other hand there is the policy of separation, which has grown up from the experience of the established European population of the country, and which is based on the Christian principles of justice and reasonableness…We can only act in one of two directions. Either we must follow the course of equality, which must eventually mean national suicide for the white race, or we must take the course of separation (apartheid), through which the character and the future of every race will be protected and safeguarded, with full opportunities for development and self-maintenance in their own ideas without the interests of one clashing with the interest of the

When Dee was about to leave, she said to Mama and Maggie; they didn’t understand the meaning of heritage and if they still live in this way forever, they will never know. Then Dee left the house with Hakim-a-barber which means; they will never show up again. Eventually, Mama and Maggie smiled feeling so proud of keeping their

Graham and Emily, the family’s employees, are accompanying the family at the exhibition. They are completely absorbed in each other and seem to consider Queenie as a burden be-cause they have to follow her around. During the encounter with the black man Emily and Graham act childish and teasingly push Queenie towards the man, cheering “kiss him, kiss him.” Not once do they consider that the man might be able to speak and understand English. Earlier in the text, Graham also says, “She can’t understand what I’m saying… They are not civilized “ll. 90-91, p. 3), clearly expressing his negative view on other