If one person’s inaction leads to the death of another, is he guiltier than someone who committed a violent act that results in a person’s death? In August Wilson’s Gem of the Ocean, Citizen Barlow stole a bucket of nails, but did not come forward when another man was accused. The man subsequently committed suicide due to the false accusation and the significance of being labeled a thief. Another character, Caesar Wilts, shoots and kills a man who was suspected of committing a crime. While both men’s actions resulted in the death of another; who, if either, is guiltier than the other? An examination of African American culture and societal norms during the Jim Crow era will indicate that Citizen is guiltier of Garret Brown’s death than Caesar
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Shannon notes, “[Wilson] reemphasizes his consistently dramatized belief that exemplary moral codes of behavior and paradigmatic cultural rituals are essential components of African Cosmology” (33). Citizen’s wrongdoing and subsequent inaction is the cause of Garret Brown’s death. Citizen is wrought with guilt over Garret Brown’s death because he knows it is his fault. After Citizen breaks into Aunt Ester’s house, he tells Black Mary “I couldn’t wait till Tuesday. I got to get my soul washed real bad” (Wilson 40). The guilt is driving Citizen to seek redemption. In contrast to how Citizen feels about causing a person’s death, Caesar justifies his actions as necessary to protect the greater good. Black Mary affirms Caesar’s rationale by telling Eli “Caesar’s doing his job. That’s what the people can’t see” (Wilson 14). Noggle provides a description in which “Caesar, Black Mary’s brother and local constable, has fully absorbed the dominate society’s individualistic (capitalistic) attitude, and consistently exploits the community” (63). While Caesar’s behavior, in general, was not accepted by the community his behavior was viewed as a form of justice, albeit a somewhat perverted version of …show more content…
From Caesar’s point of view, “They [the protesting millworkers] don’t understand the mill is what hold everything together. If you close down the mill the city would be in chaos” (Wilson 33-34). In further discussion about closing the mill Caesar says, “[people] wouldn’t have no way to pay their rent” (Wilson 34). While some perceive his methods as overzealous, one can see that Caesar cares about the mill because it affords an opportunity for people to build a life that they would not have in
Shannon notes, “[Wilson] reemphasizes his consistently dramatized belief that exemplary moral codes of behavior and paradigmatic cultural rituals are essential components of African Cosmology” (33). Citizen’s wrongdoing and subsequent inaction is the cause of Garret Brown’s death. Citizen is wrought with guilt over Garret Brown’s death because he knows it is his fault. After Citizen breaks into Aunt Ester’s house, he tells Black Mary “I couldn’t wait till Tuesday. I got to get my soul washed real bad” (Wilson 40). The guilt is driving Citizen to seek redemption. In contrast to how Citizen feels about causing a person’s death, Caesar justifies his actions as necessary to protect the greater good. Black Mary affirms Caesar’s rationale by telling Eli “Caesar’s doing his job. That’s what the people can’t see” (Wilson 14). Noggle provides a description in which “Caesar, Black Mary’s brother and local constable, has fully absorbed the dominate society’s individualistic (capitalistic) attitude, and consistently exploits the community” (63). While Caesar’s behavior, in general, was not accepted by the community his behavior was viewed as a form of justice, albeit a somewhat perverted version of …show more content…
From Caesar’s point of view, “They [the protesting millworkers] don’t understand the mill is what hold everything together. If you close down the mill the city would be in chaos” (Wilson 33-34). In further discussion about closing the mill Caesar says, “[people] wouldn’t have no way to pay their rent” (Wilson 34). While some perceive his methods as overzealous, one can see that Caesar cares about the mill because it affords an opportunity for people to build a life that they would not have in