What Is The Point Of View Of The Story 'Jesse' By Joy Boothe

In the short story ‘Jesse’, by Joy Boothe, the author presents the idea that your ethnicity determines your worth in the eyes of other people with assumptions made about who you are without getting to know you and this is shown through the use of point of view and dialogue. Boothe suggests people have preconceived ideas, are quick to judge and do not take the time to change their views. Point of view in the story is used to show the opposing sides of the characters and how they perceive the other race. “Granny brought me up on stories about what nigger men do to little white girls if they get the chance … Boy Granny was wrong, but I can't tell her. She'd have a hissy fit if she knew Daddy let Jesse carry me through the mill.” Whilst growing up Jesse was always told that ‘niggers’ were
Boothe also uses dialogue to show how the character of Granny is very quick to make assumptions about the African-Americans and makes judgements without any proof, this is shown when the young girl Jesse would like to go to the funeral when Adult Jesse goes with all the other black people. ““We don’t have any business in a room full of nigger men.” She says she will make sure mama’s coffin is closed shut that night.”. Again the Granny doesn’t make an effort to use Jesse’s name but refers to him as a ‘nigger’ this further presents the point were she doesn't want to give them human like features or see them as individuals but instead as a collective group. Then later Jesse presents the fact that her Granny made sure that the coffin was closed tight that night because she was drawing off past thoughts that they are un trustworthy and that they would probably commit an act of