The protagonist of the novel named Rufus is the character that is involved in all the relationships within the book. Starting with Rufus himself, his relationship with Leona is based of debasement and degradation. Rufus is a poor black young man in the mid 1900s and he has an affair with a white women, Leona. Sadly, Rufus physically and mentally abuses this female. Rufus degrades her by making her a sex object. When the rape or rough sexual experience was happening, Baldwin explains, “...he was staring at her throat. He wanted to put his mouth there and nibble it slowly, leaving it black and blue (Baldwin, 19)”. His rage …show more content…
She won’t accept that she in fact does love Richard and chose that life. What a small world. Cass in the midst of the story believes that Richard, her husband, is paying more attention to the publishing of his book than to her. She isn’t feeling the touch, the love, the simple caress that fills a woman up with security and confidence.The wrong treatment pushed Cass to look for “Love” in someone else. Cass says to Richard, “I’ve”-- been having an affair with Eric (Baldwin, 373)”. Personally knowing Eric made it more exciting yet. Cass yearned for the feeling of being dominated again. It is temporary moment. There is no hope for a future for them. Cass is married to Richard and Eric is in a relationship with Yves who at the time was currently in Paris. Cass and Eric are looking for escapism with this sexual