Artificial Nigger and Judgement Day (Analysis Essay in regards to Color)
“Artificial Nigger” & “Judgement Day” Analysis Regarding Color
It is very interesting how society characterizes individuals by way of color. Flannery O’Connor associates the role of color in regards to race. Through her depiction of race, apart from color, she draws a link between the roles people play in society. Not only do these elements of race refer to color and positions in society, but they go even deeper to reveal the authors’ disposition. Two works, “The Artificial Nigger,” as well as “Judgement Day,” present both a level of similarity as well as a level of dissimilarity and contrast in this regard to “color” playing a key role in race and society. “The Artificial Nigger” is the story of Mr. Head and his grandson Nelson who travel to Atlanta, only to find themselves lost. The nature of these characters is further deepened, and taken directly to the realms of the metaphorical as Mr. Head and Nelson find themselves lost in racial disorientation. “Judgement Day” revolves around old man Tanner who lives in a New York apartment with his daughter. It is the story of a racist old man who finds himself utterly disgusted at the fact of African Americans having prospered in society. Although he may be racist by way of his upbringing, he nevertheless attempts to make friends with African Americans. However, the manner in which he treats them exemplifies his view of them being different. O’Connor does a tremendous job of making the clear distinction of character and identity by using the simple aspects of color in her stories.
“The Artificial Nigger” is very much a story about epiphany, and this epiphany about color as that which defines character is what O`Connor attempts to explore. When Nelson and Mr. Head mount the train for Atlanta, Nelson turns to the window seat where he sees “a pale ghost-like face scowling at him beneath the brim of a pale ghost-like hat.” The narrator, through the character of Mr. Head expresses him as seeing “a different ghost, pale but grinning, under a black hat.” The ghost that is being referred to is an African American man; the significance of O’Connor describing these African Americans as ghosts is of utmost importance. Ghosts are invisible and without color. African Americans are seen as inferior and overlooked; literally masked from society. Later on Mr. Head, in spotting an African American, grabs at Nelson’s arm pulling him forward. The Negro is described as having worn a “light suit and a yellow satin tie with a ruby pin in it.” This description contrasts with the very idea of the “Ghost-like” Negro, in that it is the opposite of the perception of what a Negro should be, which is ghost like, without feeling and without color. The author has very carefully chosen her words in describing the negro man as wearing a “light,” coloured suit, thus associating with the higher level of prestige of white people. Further, when Mr. Head, in reference to one of the Negro passengers on the train, asks Nelson “what was that?” Nelson simply responds by saying “A man.” The boy’s reference to color is even more significant as he says to his grandfather “you said they were black... you never said they were tan.” This goes even further to suggest that Negro’s are truly not as society paints them out to be. The author uses this to instil upon her readers a sense of understanding and truth beyond that there is more to a man than just his color.
