Packer's 'Brownies'
“Brownies” is the tale of a tyrannical dictator that through manipulation, intimidation, and bullying forces her group of foolish followers into almost fighting with a harmless, inculpable group of delayed learners. Through claiming Daphne, the most innocent and respected member of their Brownie Troop, was called a “nigger” by Troop 909, Arnetta ensures the cooperation of the entire group of young girls in fighting against what they depict as a racist, privileged, evil group of white girls. However, the sudden discovery in the bathroom that the girls are “delayed learners” and mentally disabled, quickly reverses the perspectives on the two troops. Previously, Laurel’s Brownie Troop acted like and was depicted as the victims, insulted by the
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“invaders.” Likewise, Troop 909 was depicted negatively, called “invaders” and accused of using racial slurs. However, the dramatic reveal towards the end of the novel, twists their roles. Laurel’s Brownie Troop becomes the aggressors, attacking a group of mentally disabled young girls who either did not say the slur, or had no control over and intention of saying it. This drastic paradigm shift emphasizes and heightens one of the principal themes of the story, that victims can easily become the aggressors. Z. Z. Packer further heightens this theme through the final story Laurel narrates of her father and the Mennonites. The Mennonites are religiously bound to help others however they ask it and Laurel’s father abuses their kindness by asking them to paint his porch without any compensation or a thank you.
He describes the incident as the only time he would see a white man on his knees doing something for a black man for free. Packer, through this short story, writes about something common to most humans. Everyone has a moment in their lives where they are insulted, denigrated, abused, or in any way made into a victim. The natural human psychological response is for revenge, or some method of recovering the pride, power, or whatever personal aspect that was lost when they became a victim. This revenge does not even have to be directed at the original aggressor, but at anyone they can affect. This perpetuates a cycle of aggression and revenge that eventually affects even those completely unrelated to the original act. The Brownie Troop, spurred by jealousy, a general dislike of white people, and the belief they were victims of Troop 909, attempt to avenge themselves by “teaching them a lesson.” Laurel’s father likewise abuses the kindness of the Mennonites as a revenge for all the abuse and discrimination he has most likely suffered as a black man at the hands of white
people.
“invaders.” Likewise, Troop 909 was depicted negatively, called “invaders” and accused of using racial slurs. However, the dramatic reveal towards the end of the novel, twists their roles. Laurel’s Brownie Troop becomes the aggressors, attacking a group of mentally disabled young girls who either did not say the slur, or had no control over and intention of saying it. This drastic paradigm shift emphasizes and heightens one of the principal themes of the story, that victims can easily become the aggressors. Z. Z. Packer further heightens this theme through the final story Laurel narrates of her father and the Mennonites. The Mennonites are religiously bound to help others however they ask it and Laurel’s father abuses their kindness by asking them to paint his porch without any compensation or a thank you.
He describes the incident as the only time he would see a white man on his knees doing something for a black man for free. Packer, through this short story, writes about something common to most humans. Everyone has a moment in their lives where they are insulted, denigrated, abused, or in any way made into a victim. The natural human psychological response is for revenge, or some method of recovering the pride, power, or whatever personal aspect that was lost when they became a victim. This revenge does not even have to be directed at the original aggressor, but at anyone they can affect. This perpetuates a cycle of aggression and revenge that eventually affects even those completely unrelated to the original act. The Brownie Troop, spurred by jealousy, a general dislike of white people, and the belief they were victims of Troop 909, attempt to avenge themselves by “teaching them a lesson.” Laurel’s father likewise abuses the kindness of the Mennonites as a revenge for all the abuse and discrimination he has most likely suffered as a black man at the hands of white
people.