Roll of Thunder, Here My Cry - review

Roll of Thunder, Here My Cry

Introduction

“ Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry” by Mildred D. Taylor is set in 1933, in Mississippi during the Great Depression when many people were living in poverty. The novel is narrated by Cassie Logan; the second eldest child of David and Mary Logan. Roll of Thunder describes the success of the Logan family in maintaining their land and overcoming many racial injustices, they endured.

Roll of Thunder is influenced by true historical events. The main themes included in this book are Racism, Justice, Land Ownership, Growing Up and Historical Backgrounds.

I will include points for each theme and show how Cassie comes to terms with racism and the world around her.

This novel is historically accurate. By the 1880s slavery had been abolished and black people were supposed to have same rights as white people, however, in practice this was very different. Black people in the South found a difference between their legal rights and what they were allowed to do. In Mississippi 1930s, there was a lot of segregation as black people were separated from white people. In the novel, black pupils went to different schools than white pupils. Prejudice is shown by the great differences in the schools as educational institutions,

“…four weather-beaten wooden houses on stilts of bricks” (pg. 15)

This describes the appearance of The Great Faith Elementary and Secondary School, one of the largest black schools in the county,

“…a long white wooden building

…a wide sports field

…expansive front lawn” (pg. 15)

This describes the appearance of Jefferson Davis County School for white pupils.

By comparing the state of both schools, The Great Faith school and its facilities are inferior to those of Jefferson Davis school. Black pupils face greater hardship than the white students of the Davis school do.

In addition, racism is portrayed in this book in many ways.

“Well, where’s our bus?” (pg. 14)

Little Man mentioned this quote referring the bus incident. In which a Jefferson Davis school bus sped past Little Man, ...

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“…a long white wooden building

…a wide sports field

…expansive front lawn” (pg. 15)

This describes the appearance of Jefferson Davis County School for white pupils.

In addition, racism is portrayed in this book in many ways.

“Well, where’s our bus?” (pg. 14)

Little Man mentioned this quote referring the bus incident. In which a Jefferson Davis school bus sped past Little Man, enveloping him in a scarlet haze of dust. This incident not only shows white children enjoy watching the black children getting covered in dust, it also emphasises the fact that black pupils have to walk to school.

White folks did not think that black folk’s education was very important.

“1. September 1922 New. White”

…12. September 1933 Very Poor. Nigra” (pg. 23)

This was inside the books Great Faith received from the county superintendent of schools. However, the books were dirty and old. Little Man and Cassie were both infuriated by this and therefore whipped for refusing to take the books.

Milder D. Taylor makes us question whether the government of Mississippi partially racists,

“…the emblem of the Confederacy emblazoned in its upper left-hand corner ,

was the Mississippi flag.” (pg. 15)

The Mississippi State flag carries “stars and bars” in its upper left corner, symbolising regret that the Civil War was lost and slavery was made illegal. This is evidence that the government of Mississippi is racist.

Another primary theme in this novel concerns the ownership of land. Owning land was very important to black people.

“…Grandpa had bought two hundred acres of it, and in 1918, after the

first two hundred acres had been paid off, he bought another two

hundred.” (pg.9)

Here Cassie is talking about when her grandpa bought land. For black people to own their own land signifies possession. It means independence and freedom. Black people owning land in Mississippi is seen as provocative by most local whites. Although the Logans own their own land, many in the black community are sharecroppers. Sharecroppers are farmers who do not own the land they work on. In exchange for the use of the land, the farmers must give a certain percentage of their harvest to the owner.

As Papa tells Cassie,

"You ain’t never had to live on nobody’s place but your own and long as

I live and the family survives you’ll never have to. That’s important."

David Logan teaches his children about the value of the land so that they will one day understand its importance. For the Logans, retaining the land is central to their lives.

Cassie Logan is nine years old and the second eldest child in the Logan family. Cassie who is also the protagonist narrates the novel. She initially does not comprehend why black people face injustices which do not allow them to have civil rights.

When Gracey Pearson tells Cassie the seat in which she has decided to sit in, is being saved for the principal’s daughter, Cassie replies boldly,

“Not any more you ain’t”(pg.18)

This indicates Cassie is not easily intimidated. She has inherited a fiery temper and a sharp tongue, like Uncle Hammer.

“I ain’t nobody’s little nigger!”(Pg.86)

Cassie was not afraid to scream at Mr Barnett when they had a confrontation at the counter in his store. Cassie is loving, she worships and respects her parents, and a great deal of sensitivity is shown when she weeps for TJ,

“I cried for TJ, for TJ and the land” (Pg. 205)

Cassie begins to understand that there is little justice for black people; she also learns, as does Stacey, that friendship between black and whites are not allowed. Due to many people suffering in the Depressions white people hit out at black people, there were riots particularly in the South; hangings and lynching of black people by white people were common.

Moreover, Cassie learns that racism is something to fight when possible and withstand when necessary. The fundamental lesson that she learns, however, is that material liberty is essential to pride and ethical freedom. Because the Logans own their land, they have opportunities that other black families do not have.

We learn a great deal about Mississippi society in the 1930s through ‘Roll of Thunder, Her My Cry’. Taylor has shown the true vision of black families and their racial struggles during this period, contrasting the shield of family love against the evils of racism. She uses events that occurred in this society in her novel, for instance the Logans’ boycotting of the Wallaces’ store due to the lynching of the Berry family. Cassie represents the outrage of the Mississippi folks, who lived in a racist, segregated society that gave little chances for black citizens to succeed. Her character develops to gaining an understanding of how her family can fight back against racism and still survive.

This novel made me see how the black people of Mississippi , during the 1930s, suffered from the hatred of white folks.

This novel made me question the way in which society was government. Trials and tribulations of the Logan family has made me realise that when a family sticks together they can survive through the toughest of times.