Analytical essay of ”Jesse”
This analytical essay will examine Joy Boothe’s short story ”Jesse”. The short story is based on Joy Boothe’s own life and how she named her first son. The main focus of the story is the narrators life and her fight with the family norms as the granny is a racist, while the narrator is not. Hence, the theme might be racism and segregation.
The story is split into different parts and takes place in Alabama over the course of 22 years. It begins while the narrator is 5 years old and talking to her aunt Nanny, who is telling her about how her husband committed suicide. The story then continues to describe incidents throughout her life, at the ages of 8, 9, 11, 14 and 27, with the most focus on Jesse. She first met …show more content…
Jesse is portrayed as loving, kind and caring, as he cares about the narrator and he is kind to her when she is young and helps her later on. In return the narrator is also kind to Jesse, regardless of her granny not approving it. I would even argue that while the narrator loves Jesse, the granny hates him. This is, as the theme suggests, because of racism and racial segregation. The granny believes in segregation, while the narrator doesn't. And this has created a lifelong bridge between the family, as seen in the last quote. However, it could be wrong to call it good/evil, as you could argue that it is not the granny’s fault. The granny was probably born during the racial segregation hence; she doesn't know it is wrong. Opposite, the narrator grows up in a time where racial segregation is being stopped and outlawed. Therefore, you could argue, that it is about how different generations are, and not evil vs. good. However, as the story is based on real life, and the main topic always is regarding Jesse, the message probably is; that you should not judge a book by its cover and that racism is not only wrong, but also counterproductive – all races are equal and can become you best friend regardless of what somebody has told
This analytical essay will examine Joy Boothe’s short story ”Jesse”. The short story is based on Joy Boothe’s own life and how she named her first son. The main focus of the story is the narrators life and her fight with the family norms as the granny is a racist, while the narrator is not. Hence, the theme might be racism and segregation.
The story is split into different parts and takes place in Alabama over the course of 22 years. It begins while the narrator is 5 years old and talking to her aunt Nanny, who is telling her about how her husband committed suicide. The story then continues to describe incidents throughout her life, at the ages of 8, 9, 11, 14 and 27, with the most focus on Jesse. She first met …show more content…
Jesse is portrayed as loving, kind and caring, as he cares about the narrator and he is kind to her when she is young and helps her later on. In return the narrator is also kind to Jesse, regardless of her granny not approving it. I would even argue that while the narrator loves Jesse, the granny hates him. This is, as the theme suggests, because of racism and racial segregation. The granny believes in segregation, while the narrator doesn't. And this has created a lifelong bridge between the family, as seen in the last quote. However, it could be wrong to call it good/evil, as you could argue that it is not the granny’s fault. The granny was probably born during the racial segregation hence; she doesn't know it is wrong. Opposite, the narrator grows up in a time where racial segregation is being stopped and outlawed. Therefore, you could argue, that it is about how different generations are, and not evil vs. good. However, as the story is based on real life, and the main topic always is regarding Jesse, the message probably is; that you should not judge a book by its cover and that racism is not only wrong, but also counterproductive – all races are equal and can become you best friend regardless of what somebody has told