The Autobiography Of Miss Jane Pittman Analysis
Wyatt Patton
Ms. Shanks
English II
March 22, 2013 Ernest J. Gaines and His Inspirations Slavery was a big part of American life in the southern United States until the mid-1800’s. Ernest J. Gaines spent his life writing about African Americans from their time in bondage to the time of his childhood growing up in south Louisiana. He provided a unique view of plantation life during the civil war and reconstruction and the impact both had on all Americans, especially those living in the south. Gaines’ many works illustrate how our country as grown and evolved to become the society we live in today. In his novel “The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman”, Gaines proves he is a great American author by giving readers a glimpse of the time of slavery in south Louisiana and relating the setting …show more content…
to historic plantations in the south. Ernest J. Gaines was much like many of the characters in his novels. He was born in south Louisiana on January 15, 1933 at the River Lake Plantation. His childhood experiences, growing up in rural south Louisiana, are reflected in the characters and ideas in many of his novels. One recurring theme in many of his works deals with the estrangement between fathers and sons, which Gaines also experienced. Despite all of the obstacles he faced, including the limited education opportunities, he went on to become a great American author. His early education was at the St. Augustine School in New Roads, Louisiana, which was a room in the back of a black church. He attended this school for six months in the year and went to the school for three years. Gaines was driven to succeed like many of the characters in his books and he used education and his love or reading to build a foundation for success. The colorful characters he created depict a view of himself and many people that he loved and admired throughout his life that are the basis for many of his novels. Gaines grew up on the plantation that many of his ancestors lived and worked on. “At age fifteen he moved to Vallejo, California to live with his mother and step-father. His step-father encouraged him to read and he spent much of his time in the library doing just that.”(Grant) After his graduation from high school, Gaines joined the Army and spent two years in the service. Upon his getting out of the military he enrolled in San Franciso State University where he pursued his writing. He published many short stories about African Americans because he could not find any books that were written about that group of people, and these short stories were instrumental in his gaining entry into the prestigious Stanford University writing program. “Upon leaving Stanford University he took a position as the Writer in Residence at Danville University in Ohio. Later he joined the faculty of University of Louisiana-Lafayette holding the same position.”(Grant) He currently resides in a house on the same plantation he grew upon on with his wife, attorney Dianne Saulney. (Grant) Gaines gained notoriety the short stories he wrote and published as a student at San Francisco State University. He wrote his first novel, “Catherine Carmier”, in 1964, which although not his most known work, was still worth reading. Catherine Carmier is a tragic love story set in rural Louisiana and deals with the complex caste system that existed during that time in history. His first publication was a stepping stone to building his foundation for the success he would ultimately realize. His most famous work would not be written and published for another seven years. The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman was published in 1971 and this vaulted him to worldwide fame. His novel was later made into a movie in 1974. The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman will most likely be remembered as the best of all his stories. What endears this novel as one of his best is the interesting historical background that is its setting. Later, in 1967 he published “Of Love and Dust”, set in the backdrop of life and love set in an environment of servitude and discrimination. His next novel, was his best and most famous, “The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman”, but it was not his last. He followed this book with “In My Father’s House” in 1978 and 1983 he published “A Gathering of Old Men”. His last work was “A Lesson Before Dying” in 1993. Gaines has received numerous awards for his writing. “He was awarded the National Humanities Medal for the United States and The Chevalier of France’s Order of Arts and Letters. His style was referred to as deathless literature and is a monument to the men and women who came before him”..(Grant) The background of Gaines’ novel, “The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman” is set in the civil war era and reconstruction, for the most part.
Ticey, as Jane Pittman was called, befriended a Union soldier, named Corporal Brown, and as a result of her kindness, he tells Ticey she can use his daughter’s name, Jane Brown, and come to see him at his home in Ohio, when she is free. Ticey, who now sees herself as Jane Pittman, falls victim to the wrath of her mistress when she fails to respond to her slave name, Ticey. The backdrop of the Civil War is causing problems for Ticey and millions of other slaves who look forward to soon being free, but who currently remain in bondage and still under the yoke of slavery. The institution of slavery was still intact and necessary for southern plantation owners to work the land, tend the livestock and manage their homes and keep what was left of the southern agricultural economy operating. When slavery and the war ended, a new period began with plantation owners and newly freed slaves, had to find a way to coexist and reestablish the economy of the south.
(Grant) The end of the Civil War was difficult for slaves because, although they were free, they had many problems outside the plantations. Their new found freedom was fraught with many problems that previously, their masters dealt with or provided solutions for. The months following the Civil War were a time for rejoicing at their emancipation, but they were also a great time for uncertainty. How would they survive, where would they live, and how would they support their families? These questions and finding answers made many newly freed slaves fearful and very confused. (Moss, Wilson) Patrollers prowled the countryside looking for victims and the newly freed slaves had limited resources and were not dependent upon themselves and without the safety net provided by their masters before emancipation. Now they were responsible for caring for themselves. Many freed slaves reverted to what they knew how to do and that was work on the plantations in much the same way they did as slaves, but now they had a share in the crops they sowed and reaped. There were many plantations in the south and many still exist today. One of the most intact plantations is Evergreen Plantation, just south of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Not only is Evergreen one of the most intact plantations in the south, it is also one of the largest. Evergreen Plantation was built in the 1790’s and later remodeled into the current layout in 1832. Evergreen has thirty-seven buildings on the National Register of Historic Places, including twenty-two slave cabins still in their original configuration. It is listed as one of the finest historic sites in America ranking with Gettysburg and Mount Vernon on the register and has been granted exceptional landmark status for the plantation’s agricultural acreage. (Evergreen) Ernest J. Gaines proves in his novel, “The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman”, that he is a great American author, by giving readers a glimpse into the period of slavery in southern Louisiana and relating the setting to historic plantations in the south. His works show how this country has grown into the society we live in today and how it evolved from the turmoil of the Civil War and reconstruction to get where we are today. Gaines spent his life writing about African Americans from their time in bondage to his early childhood and the experiences he had in his life. His novels have been masterful in blending the history of African Americans, once in bondage, to citizens who make meaningful contributions in our country and world today.
Works Cited
“Ernest J. Gaines”. American Academy of Achievement. N.P. March 28, 2008. March 13, 2013.
“Evergreen Plantation-The South’s Most Intact Plantation Complex”. New Orleans Plantation Country. Louisiana Travel. N.P. March 14, 2013.
Gaines, Ernest J. “The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman.” New York. Bantam Books. 1996. Print.
Grant, William E. “Ernest J. Gaines.” American Novelists Since World War II: First Series. Ed. Jefferey Hitterman and Richard Layman. Detroit Gale Research. 1978. Dictionary of Literary Biography Vol. 2 Literature Resource Center. Web March 17, 2013.
“Overview: The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman.” Literature and its Time: Profiles of 300 Notable Literary Works and Historical Event That Influence Them. Joyce Moss and George Wilson. Vol. 5: Civil Rights Movements to Future Times (1960-2000). Detroit Gale, 1997. Literature Resource Center. Web March 13, 2013.
Winters, John D. “The Civil War in Louisiana.” Baton Rouge. LSUP. 1963. Print.
Ms. Shanks
English II
March 22, 2013 Ernest J. Gaines and His Inspirations Slavery was a big part of American life in the southern United States until the mid-1800’s. Ernest J. Gaines spent his life writing about African Americans from their time in bondage to the time of his childhood growing up in south Louisiana. He provided a unique view of plantation life during the civil war and reconstruction and the impact both had on all Americans, especially those living in the south. Gaines’ many works illustrate how our country as grown and evolved to become the society we live in today. In his novel “The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman”, Gaines proves he is a great American author by giving readers a glimpse of the time of slavery in south Louisiana and relating the setting …show more content…
to historic plantations in the south. Ernest J. Gaines was much like many of the characters in his novels. He was born in south Louisiana on January 15, 1933 at the River Lake Plantation. His childhood experiences, growing up in rural south Louisiana, are reflected in the characters and ideas in many of his novels. One recurring theme in many of his works deals with the estrangement between fathers and sons, which Gaines also experienced. Despite all of the obstacles he faced, including the limited education opportunities, he went on to become a great American author. His early education was at the St. Augustine School in New Roads, Louisiana, which was a room in the back of a black church. He attended this school for six months in the year and went to the school for three years. Gaines was driven to succeed like many of the characters in his books and he used education and his love or reading to build a foundation for success. The colorful characters he created depict a view of himself and many people that he loved and admired throughout his life that are the basis for many of his novels. Gaines grew up on the plantation that many of his ancestors lived and worked on. “At age fifteen he moved to Vallejo, California to live with his mother and step-father. His step-father encouraged him to read and he spent much of his time in the library doing just that.”(Grant) After his graduation from high school, Gaines joined the Army and spent two years in the service. Upon his getting out of the military he enrolled in San Franciso State University where he pursued his writing. He published many short stories about African Americans because he could not find any books that were written about that group of people, and these short stories were instrumental in his gaining entry into the prestigious Stanford University writing program. “Upon leaving Stanford University he took a position as the Writer in Residence at Danville University in Ohio. Later he joined the faculty of University of Louisiana-Lafayette holding the same position.”(Grant) He currently resides in a house on the same plantation he grew upon on with his wife, attorney Dianne Saulney. (Grant) Gaines gained notoriety the short stories he wrote and published as a student at San Francisco State University. He wrote his first novel, “Catherine Carmier”, in 1964, which although not his most known work, was still worth reading. Catherine Carmier is a tragic love story set in rural Louisiana and deals with the complex caste system that existed during that time in history. His first publication was a stepping stone to building his foundation for the success he would ultimately realize. His most famous work would not be written and published for another seven years. The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman was published in 1971 and this vaulted him to worldwide fame. His novel was later made into a movie in 1974. The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman will most likely be remembered as the best of all his stories. What endears this novel as one of his best is the interesting historical background that is its setting. Later, in 1967 he published “Of Love and Dust”, set in the backdrop of life and love set in an environment of servitude and discrimination. His next novel, was his best and most famous, “The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman”, but it was not his last. He followed this book with “In My Father’s House” in 1978 and 1983 he published “A Gathering of Old Men”. His last work was “A Lesson Before Dying” in 1993. Gaines has received numerous awards for his writing. “He was awarded the National Humanities Medal for the United States and The Chevalier of France’s Order of Arts and Letters. His style was referred to as deathless literature and is a monument to the men and women who came before him”..(Grant) The background of Gaines’ novel, “The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman” is set in the civil war era and reconstruction, for the most part.
Ticey, as Jane Pittman was called, befriended a Union soldier, named Corporal Brown, and as a result of her kindness, he tells Ticey she can use his daughter’s name, Jane Brown, and come to see him at his home in Ohio, when she is free. Ticey, who now sees herself as Jane Pittman, falls victim to the wrath of her mistress when she fails to respond to her slave name, Ticey. The backdrop of the Civil War is causing problems for Ticey and millions of other slaves who look forward to soon being free, but who currently remain in bondage and still under the yoke of slavery. The institution of slavery was still intact and necessary for southern plantation owners to work the land, tend the livestock and manage their homes and keep what was left of the southern agricultural economy operating. When slavery and the war ended, a new period began with plantation owners and newly freed slaves, had to find a way to coexist and reestablish the economy of the south.
(Grant) The end of the Civil War was difficult for slaves because, although they were free, they had many problems outside the plantations. Their new found freedom was fraught with many problems that previously, their masters dealt with or provided solutions for. The months following the Civil War were a time for rejoicing at their emancipation, but they were also a great time for uncertainty. How would they survive, where would they live, and how would they support their families? These questions and finding answers made many newly freed slaves fearful and very confused. (Moss, Wilson) Patrollers prowled the countryside looking for victims and the newly freed slaves had limited resources and were not dependent upon themselves and without the safety net provided by their masters before emancipation. Now they were responsible for caring for themselves. Many freed slaves reverted to what they knew how to do and that was work on the plantations in much the same way they did as slaves, but now they had a share in the crops they sowed and reaped. There were many plantations in the south and many still exist today. One of the most intact plantations is Evergreen Plantation, just south of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Not only is Evergreen one of the most intact plantations in the south, it is also one of the largest. Evergreen Plantation was built in the 1790’s and later remodeled into the current layout in 1832. Evergreen has thirty-seven buildings on the National Register of Historic Places, including twenty-two slave cabins still in their original configuration. It is listed as one of the finest historic sites in America ranking with Gettysburg and Mount Vernon on the register and has been granted exceptional landmark status for the plantation’s agricultural acreage. (Evergreen) Ernest J. Gaines proves in his novel, “The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman”, that he is a great American author, by giving readers a glimpse into the period of slavery in southern Louisiana and relating the setting to historic plantations in the south. His works show how this country has grown into the society we live in today and how it evolved from the turmoil of the Civil War and reconstruction to get where we are today. Gaines spent his life writing about African Americans from their time in bondage to his early childhood and the experiences he had in his life. His novels have been masterful in blending the history of African Americans, once in bondage, to citizens who make meaningful contributions in our country and world today.
Works Cited
“Ernest J. Gaines”. American Academy of Achievement. N.P. March 28, 2008. March 13, 2013.
“Evergreen Plantation-The South’s Most Intact Plantation Complex”. New Orleans Plantation Country. Louisiana Travel. N.P. March 14, 2013.
Gaines, Ernest J. “The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman.” New York. Bantam Books. 1996. Print.
Grant, William E. “Ernest J. Gaines.” American Novelists Since World War II: First Series. Ed. Jefferey Hitterman and Richard Layman. Detroit Gale Research. 1978. Dictionary of Literary Biography Vol. 2 Literature Resource Center. Web March 17, 2013.
“Overview: The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman.” Literature and its Time: Profiles of 300 Notable Literary Works and Historical Event That Influence Them. Joyce Moss and George Wilson. Vol. 5: Civil Rights Movements to Future Times (1960-2000). Detroit Gale, 1997. Literature Resource Center. Web March 13, 2013.
Winters, John D. “The Civil War in Louisiana.” Baton Rouge. LSUP. 1963. Print.