After You, My Dear Alphonse
Racism and prejudice is a thing of the past. A new generation is well on its way, with new ideas and new opinions. Or is it just as racist and bias as the previous generations?
“After You, My Dear Alphonse!” by Shirley Jackson, 1949, is about two boys; Johnny, a white boy and Boyd a black boy. The short story takes place in Johnny’s kitchen. Johnny invites Boyd inside for some lunch. Mrs. Wilson, Johnny’s mother, has no knowledge of Boyd being a black boy, and does not know how to react when she finds out. She assumes right away that he is a poor black child, of which he is not. Mrs. Wilson begins to inquire Boyd about his family and a tension slowly brews up. It escalates when Boyd politely declines old clothes that Mrs. Wilson, being prejudiced, wants to donate to him. She is offended and disappointed because of her continued ignorance and prejudice and sends the boys out.
Johnny is the son of Mrs. Wilson. Johnny is a playful and joyful white boy, and is good friends with Boyd, even though Boyd is an African American. Johnny does not share his mother’s views; he does not understand the prejudiced insinuations she makes about Boyd and his family. Johnny sees Boyd as any other boy like himself.
Boyd is an African American boy. Boyd’s father works at a factory as a foreman. His mother is a housewife. His family is like any other American family, even though they are black.
“I didn’t mean to make you mad Mrs. Wilson”, Boyd said. ”Don’t think that I’m angry with you, Boyd. I’m just disappointed in you, that’s all” . Boyd is a polite kid, and is confused when he politely declines Mrs. Wilson’s ‘donation’ to him and his family and Mrs. Wilson gets offended and angry.
Mrs. Wilson is a housewife and a very prejudiced woman. Because of her subtle racism and prejudgment, she assumes that the black boy, Boyd, is poor. She is confused and offended when the, assumed, poor black boy denies her gifts. In her eyes he should be grateful; “There are many little
“After You, My Dear Alphonse!” by Shirley Jackson, 1949, is about two boys; Johnny, a white boy and Boyd a black boy. The short story takes place in Johnny’s kitchen. Johnny invites Boyd inside for some lunch. Mrs. Wilson, Johnny’s mother, has no knowledge of Boyd being a black boy, and does not know how to react when she finds out. She assumes right away that he is a poor black child, of which he is not. Mrs. Wilson begins to inquire Boyd about his family and a tension slowly brews up. It escalates when Boyd politely declines old clothes that Mrs. Wilson, being prejudiced, wants to donate to him. She is offended and disappointed because of her continued ignorance and prejudice and sends the boys out.
Johnny is the son of Mrs. Wilson. Johnny is a playful and joyful white boy, and is good friends with Boyd, even though Boyd is an African American. Johnny does not share his mother’s views; he does not understand the prejudiced insinuations she makes about Boyd and his family. Johnny sees Boyd as any other boy like himself.
Boyd is an African American boy. Boyd’s father works at a factory as a foreman. His mother is a housewife. His family is like any other American family, even though they are black.
“I didn’t mean to make you mad Mrs. Wilson”, Boyd said. ”Don’t think that I’m angry with you, Boyd. I’m just disappointed in you, that’s all” . Boyd is a polite kid, and is confused when he politely declines Mrs. Wilson’s ‘donation’ to him and his family and Mrs. Wilson gets offended and angry.
Mrs. Wilson is a housewife and a very prejudiced woman. Because of her subtle racism and prejudgment, she assumes that the black boy, Boyd, is poor. She is confused and offended when the, assumed, poor black boy denies her gifts. In her eyes he should be grateful; “There are many little