When one thinks of modern-day Louisiana, one is reminded of the lively neighborhood in New Orleans known as the French Quarter. They think of fresh-made beignets made every morning at the iconic Cafe Du Monde and the unique, diverse culture of Louisiana, influenced by its ancestors. Now, think back to 1970s rural Louisiana; it is post-Civil Rights and the African-Americans have finally gained equal rights. However, in spite of having earned their freedom, there is still prejudice and racism. This is accurately portrayed in Ernest Gaines’ novel, A Gathering of Old Men. A Gathering of Old Men by Ernest Gaines tells a story of elderly black men standing up against injustice, the struggle of many different characters, and how the past affects the
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The Gathering of Old Men is set in rural Louisiana during the 1970’s. Tee Jack is a white male who owns a local bar. His bar used to segregate the blacks and whites because of the law, also known as de jure segregation. In spite of de jure segregation being declared unconstitutional, blacks are still being segregated through fear tactics. When Tee Jack talks about the discrimination of African-Americans in his bar. He claims that the discrimination is “how things are in a little place like this,” (153). He proceeds to go on about how the town “ain’t no Baton Rouge and it ain’t no New Orleans.” This is important because it demonstrates how cities, such as New Orleans and Baton Rouge is becoming more integrated compared to rural towns. Furthermore, it indicates that there is still de-facto segregation despite the fact that there are laws against it. This sets the hierarchy that is instilled throughout the novel, with the rich whites as the ruling social class, and the blacks on the bottom of the pyramid. The hierarchy that is evident in the story was created by the characters’ ancestors. The landowners became wealthy by relying on the labor power of African-Americans and the fertile soil which was suitable for growing sugarcanes. This made them the ruling class. The Cajuns mainly settled in areas that no one wanted such as swamps and bayous. Other groups of Whites looked down on them and saw them as poor and inferior. The African-Americans were, of course, on the bottom of the social ladder. They were looked down upon because of their skin color and legal status. The way this hierarchy was created demonstrates how their social context influences the way one can
The Gathering of Old Men is set in rural Louisiana during the 1970’s. Tee Jack is a white male who owns a local bar. His bar used to segregate the blacks and whites because of the law, also known as de jure segregation. In spite of de jure segregation being declared unconstitutional, blacks are still being segregated through fear tactics. When Tee Jack talks about the discrimination of African-Americans in his bar. He claims that the discrimination is “how things are in a little place like this,” (153). He proceeds to go on about how the town “ain’t no Baton Rouge and it ain’t no New Orleans.” This is important because it demonstrates how cities, such as New Orleans and Baton Rouge is becoming more integrated compared to rural towns. Furthermore, it indicates that there is still de-facto segregation despite the fact that there are laws against it. This sets the hierarchy that is instilled throughout the novel, with the rich whites as the ruling social class, and the blacks on the bottom of the pyramid. The hierarchy that is evident in the story was created by the characters’ ancestors. The landowners became wealthy by relying on the labor power of African-Americans and the fertile soil which was suitable for growing sugarcanes. This made them the ruling class. The Cajuns mainly settled in areas that no one wanted such as swamps and bayous. Other groups of Whites looked down on them and saw them as poor and inferior. The African-Americans were, of course, on the bottom of the social ladder. They were looked down upon because of their skin color and legal status. The way this hierarchy was created demonstrates how their social context influences the way one can