The short story “Jesse” is an incredible piece of literature that brings out a strong message against racism. The author, Joy Boothe is successful in this by using narration in the first person on the life events of the narrator and her close family and friends in the American society. The main character the story is the narrator who features throughout the plot of the story. Other characters include the narrator’s father, the father’s friend, the narrator’s mother and the narrator’s granny. The narrator’s life as narrated in the story encompasses her experiences since she was a four-year-old till she is then a twenty-seven-year-old and the culture and life of the society of the American Society. This story illustrates the central theme of racism in the American society beyond a doubt.
The setting depicted in the story is in the United States, highlighted by the white and black races and usage of the name “ni**er” by the white to refer to black people. The story revolves around the mid 20th century as the narrator is aged eleven at the year 1963. The setting is vital for the author so as to propagate the message of racism in the America. It is also ideal that the story is placed in the mid 20th century, a past time when the blacks were struggling for equality and fighting discrimination from the whites. There can’t be a better context and scenario for the author to build her story other than the primitive America society where there is the mingling of the whites and the blacks but with differed perception. The ideal setting and time have effectively advanced the theme of racism in America.
The subject of racism builds on so early in the plot at the point when the narrator admits they can’t have Jesse in their house “because he is a ni**er.” The narrator points out to the division between the races and the separation and segregation between the races. That the narrator aged 8 denotes could perceive racism shows how heightened the cloud of racism was profound in the American society at the time. The relation between the blacks and whites is one built on mistrust it seems as the blacks are not allowed to enter into white men’s houses and if so, aren’t secure at all.
Besides, the narrator’s granny expresses her dislike to the “ni**ers’. She perceives them to be dangerous more so to white girls, who risk being raped and murdered. With negative stories of “ni**ers,” the narrator even has nightmares of the heinous acts of the “ni**er.” It depicts the generational inherited perspective and negative image of the black people. It speaks of how generations have always inherited the attitude of negative racism from older generations. It is one feature of racism that it never ends, and in this instance, shows how the seniors in the society pass this dogma to the younger generations.
The different approach by the narrator’s dad and the narrator by positively accommodating Jesse, denote the generational transformation whereby the newer generations are coming out of the harmful dogma. It can also be viewed that despite the negative racism, there are sections of the society who have a positive attitude towards the black, for instance, the narrator and the narrator’s dad. It further reinstates the central theme of racism in the American society and the different approaches and perceptions to it. The positive attitude alludes to the contact the narrator has had with Jesse, and so has the narrator’s dad. It shows that the blacks are not bad people but are unfairly discriminated.
The theme of love is eminent in the story by the narrator. The narrator admits that she has become fond of other granny and now love each other so much. Fate and tragedy can be a pulling factor to people once estranged. The granny and the narrator had not been so close before the narrator’s parents died unlike after the death of her dad and mom, they have picked on so well. This theme of love that erupts is an illustration of how in the eventuality there will be reconciliation and love. It is also a reminder of how despite differences, people can still live attached and with love towards one another, as the narrator and the granny differ on matters perception to racism
The struggle by the narrator’s dad and Jesse in the story depicts the theme of hard work. They are involved in the mill and brave the unfavorable conditions of the factory to ensure they earn something to feed their families. Despite Jesse having lost his arm, he admits to the narrator of how he still maintains his growing family. There is a message, the author seems to send, and is the struggle by American families to make ends meet. The ultimate significance of this theme is that the only thing that brings the races together is working together with common purpose as is evident of the narrators Dad and Jesse.
It is evident of how the author uses characterization to depict the characters in the. Jesse is portrayed as a warm and kind hearted guy who is positive minded and funny. This characterization serves to paint a picture of a harmless “ni**er” who suffers from negative perception from the likes of the narrator’s granny. The narrator’s dad is characterized as a hardworking man whose interest is the family’s wellbeing but ironically shoots himself and his wife. The author seems to endeavor to convey the irony of life where at times people struggle for many things only to throw them away later.
Every reader gets a clear vital message from the story by Joy Boothe about racism and life. Through the instances of racism, the author seems to communicate the evil of segregation and discrimination of black people. That the narrator on touching Jesse the first time admits he [Jesse] is equally warm as her [narrator] dad, is a strong message by the author that the black race and the white race are relatively equal. That eventually the narrator finally names her son as Jesse, despite her grandma’s defiance sends a message across that the young generation of the white can defy negative racism and embrace the black race and with love.
This story “Jesse” fulfills its real intention and satisfies her critical readers. The fact that the author has effectively built on the key themes makes it fascinating. The setting best suits the themes and so was the time. This story thus couldn’t have been any better to deliver a lesson of history and the past and the need to keep the transformation on matters racism.