The Theme of Racism in the Country Lovers and the Welcome Table
Thebedi and The Old Lady
Journey into Literature ENG 125
Melissa Eidson
May 22, 2013
Theme of Racism
This paper is intended to in fact compare and contrast two literary works in the form of short stories. It will give a description of the similarities and differences in content and style. In observances of both stories central theme of racism which both result in death, look at how the characters were faced and affected by racism, poverty, and love. This paper will also briefly summarize the stories and depict the feelings of the characters and how they were treated. The two literary works are “Country Lovers” by Nadine Gordimer and “The Welcome Table” by Alice Walker.
Country Lovers is a story of a forbidden love on a South African farm. (Clugston, 2010). The main characters in this story are Thebedi and Paulus. Paulus was the son of a rich white farmer and Thebedi the daughter of a poor black worker. Thebedi’s father worked for Paulus father. They grew up together on the farm, all small children played together regardless of the color of their skin, as the two of them grew up the met each other secretly. They occasionally made love, exchanged gifts, and Thebedi listened to his stories. After a while Thebedi became pregnant with Paulus’ child. Though she was married to N’jabulo he accepted the baby like it was his own. Thebedi kept her baby away from the farm to protect her and Paulus. When Paulus heard of this he went to see Thebedi and the baby, he killed the poor innocent child to “avoid rejection by his family, friends, and community.” (Jacobson, 2004.)
In contrast, The Welcome Table is a spiritual story. “It is about an old dying black woman who was expelled bodily from a white church, but meets up with Jesus on the highway.” (Bradley, David, 1984.) She is poor and old. “She was angular and lean and the color of poor gray Georgia earth, beaten by king cotton and the extreme weather. Her elbows were wrinkled and thick, the skin ashen but
Journey into Literature ENG 125
Melissa Eidson
May 22, 2013
Theme of Racism
This paper is intended to in fact compare and contrast two literary works in the form of short stories. It will give a description of the similarities and differences in content and style. In observances of both stories central theme of racism which both result in death, look at how the characters were faced and affected by racism, poverty, and love. This paper will also briefly summarize the stories and depict the feelings of the characters and how they were treated. The two literary works are “Country Lovers” by Nadine Gordimer and “The Welcome Table” by Alice Walker.
Country Lovers is a story of a forbidden love on a South African farm. (Clugston, 2010). The main characters in this story are Thebedi and Paulus. Paulus was the son of a rich white farmer and Thebedi the daughter of a poor black worker. Thebedi’s father worked for Paulus father. They grew up together on the farm, all small children played together regardless of the color of their skin, as the two of them grew up the met each other secretly. They occasionally made love, exchanged gifts, and Thebedi listened to his stories. After a while Thebedi became pregnant with Paulus’ child. Though she was married to N’jabulo he accepted the baby like it was his own. Thebedi kept her baby away from the farm to protect her and Paulus. When Paulus heard of this he went to see Thebedi and the baby, he killed the poor innocent child to “avoid rejection by his family, friends, and community.” (Jacobson, 2004.)
In contrast, The Welcome Table is a spiritual story. “It is about an old dying black woman who was expelled bodily from a white church, but meets up with Jesus on the highway.” (Bradley, David, 1984.) She is poor and old. “She was angular and lean and the color of poor gray Georgia earth, beaten by king cotton and the extreme weather. Her elbows were wrinkled and thick, the skin ashen but
References: Walker, Alice. Literary Cavalcade, Feb 2003, Vol.55. Issue 5, p32, 4p, 4 color photographs, 1 black and white (Short Story) The Welcome Table Literary Reference Center Plus. Retrieved May 19, 2013. Bauer, Margaret D. Studies in Short Fiction, Spring 92, Vol. 29, Issue 2, p143, 9p (Short Essay Review) Alice Walker: Another Southern Writer. Wong, Cynthia; Petrillo, Marion, Magillo. Survey of World Literature, Revised Edition; Jan 2009, p1-1. (Work Analysis) Town and Country Lovers. Clugston, R.W. 2010. Journey into Literature: San Diego. Bridgepoint Education Inc. New York Times, Late Edition (East Coast) [New York, N.Y.] 17 Apr. 1985: A.3. Repeal of Laws on Interracial Sex Hailed In South Africa. Jacobson, Cardell K; Amoateng, Acheamdong Yaw; Heaton, Tim B. Journal of Comparative Family Studies 35.3 (Summer 2004); 443-458. Interracial Marriages in South Africa. Bradley, David. The New York Times On The Web. Jan 8, 1984. Novelist Alice Walker Telling the Black Woman Story. www.nytimes.com/books/98/10/04/specials/walker-story.html/ Retrieved May 19, 2013. www.bookrags.com/studyguide-the welcome-table/chapanal001.html. Retrieved May 19, 2013.