Consider the Importance of Land in Mildred D. Taylor's novel, 'Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry'

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Consider the Importance of Land in Mildred D. Taylor’s novel, ‘Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry’

The novel puts an emphasis on land throughout the story; it is repeatedly mentioned and discussed, and linked to other main themes and factors in the book.

It is clear from early on in the novel that land is a main theme and a very important factor. A clear example of this is that by the third page of the story, it is already described in detail how the Logans came to own their 400 acres of land in the first place, and hinted at as to how it is an effort to continue owning 200 acres of it, in the mention of “why” Papa had to “work” on the “railroad”; and the “mortgage”.

        Throughout the book, it is made clear to the reader that the land is important in a number of ways. The constant referral to the theme right through the story emphasises this.

        There are many links to the land through other themes in the book, such as racism, slavery, inequality, family, and money, as well as bravery and determination. Because these are imperative factors, their association with the land accentuates its significance.

        

Racism and the land tie together through the duration of the book. Because of racism and the inequality that exists between blacks and whites, to the Logans, owning land is a symbol of their freedom, independence and equality – this is put forward in many ways, such as when Big Ma tells Cassie how Logans came to own land after slavery was abolished, and she refers to it as when “freedom” came. As a result of this ownership, the Logans, to an extent, are free of the racist policies, which other sharecropping blacks have to endure. The whites, such as Mr Granger, also see blacks owning land as a representation of their equality and freedom, which they resent, creating the main reason why Mr Granger is so keen to buy the Logans’ land back off them and remove this act of equality; not because he wants or needs more land – Big Ma talks of how Mr Granger has “more land” than he knows “what to do with”. Because the Logans are so greatly in disagreement with racism and its effects, they fight so badly, and do all they possibly can to stay in possession of the land. This is the underlying essence of what the whole book is about – the Logans’ battle against racism - their land provides them with a chance, slight although it may be, to win this battle.

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This links to the land’s importance and how it roots right back to the days of slavery, where racism and the whites’ stance of themselves as superior were in full swing. Although at the present time in the novel, slavery has been abolished, it is clear in the story that the whites resent this eradication and feel the blacks are without doubt inferior, evidence of this is when Mama explains to Cassie that Mr Simms pushed her for bumping accidentally into Lillian Jean because he “thinks” Lillian Jean is “better” than her because “she’s white”. This feeling of superiority ...

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