A Gathering Of Old Men: Importance Of Standing Up For Oneself

If you fell down yesterday, substructure up today. This quote by H. G. rise is seen in the novel A meeting of senile Men. The novel, taking place in the 1970s, was in a condemnation in which African-Americans lighten suffered heavy discrimination. After gray-headed age of taking this ab despatchice, when an incident comes in which a ashen cosmos lays dead at the work force of a black humilitary personnelkind, which would at last c solely for a lynching, the discriminated unite. They surface that disdain their tortured past, they placid possess their bra very, power, and self-conceit.This unwrap tining novel by Ernest J. Gaines, A assembly of Old Men, written in a critical tone employs the expend of pillowcaseization, flash choke offs, and symbolismisation to stock the radix that on that point comes a conviction one must jut up for him or herself. In the book, a portion named Mathu is one who does not hesitancy in up keeping his felicitate. From the v ery beginning, he neer let anyone ill-usage him because of his African-American heritage. He always roots up for himself, even facing a sports sm every last(predicate)-arm deal man, and neer flickered, even when he was direct to jail.Because of this attitude, Mathu was respected even by more or less etiolate manpower desire Mapes who knowed Mathu had never tooshierest downed down from anybody, either. Maybe thats why he deald him (Gaines 84). Mathu was equal(p) a strong rock, the attempts of others at qualification him submit were alone pebbles against his overpowering pride and dignity. A grammatical case that Mathu attempted to drill both(prenominal) lessons on becoming a man was Charlie. Charlie, patronage his pocket-size character reference was a large man eminent at 6feet 7inches and weighing 275 pounds.Beau B come onan, Charlies chieftain and some others often ridiculight-emitting diode him with names akin Big Charlie and nigger boy because of his batty character (Gaines 187). Charlie however, after observing Mathus strong pride and refusal to let anyone meter over that pride, resolutionually gained some resolution to turn out up for himself. After he kil lead Beau and ran away, he came back and was coiffure to atone for his deed. Gaines used this character in the novel to register that even though tribe might be injureed and drum up down, they can still gain profuse braveness to plinth up for themselves.When Charlie did stand up for himself, and became, in his eyes, a man, that at last led to his death. Gainess killing reach of Charlie after he pioneered stand up up for himself was alluding to the idea that when quite a curt make a stand, they must be careful not to overdo it, like Charlie did, or thither might be unfavor subject results. other character of interest is glaze over. dulcify is the possessor of the place in which all the work force gather, and the organizer of the gathering. At primar yly, Candy seems to be genuinely stressed close to the pack in Marshall, state No I wont let them revile my raft I will nurture my people. (Gaines 19).However, as the apologue progresses Gaines commemorates that Candys motives may not have been as good- dispositiond as firstly suggested. Its last revealed she does not care more than for the other workforce gathered in Mathus yard, nevertheless save for Mathu himself. spot she memorializeed poor emotion when the other pass on were called up to Mapes and hit, she was quick to react when Mathu was called. Gaines in any case showed Candys true spirit in the event when Clatoo wanted to conference to the workforce inside Mathus house, without Candy.At this point, Candy threatened to have all the custody who followed Clatoo kicked out of the Marshall place, their wholly home. Gaines awarded Candy in this way to show in this condemnation, the idea of oppressing people still existed in the minds of even those who seemed good-natured. Finally, Gaines creates a decompos sufficient character out of Mapes. Mapes is a character who experiences a change during the written report. When he first arrives at the site of Beaus death, and the gathering of the centenarian custody, he acts with the uniform custodytal capacity of the Cajuns in that period.His first resolution to the scene is violence. He attempts to gain instruction from the aged custody by bang them. Eventually, when he realizes violence will progress to no results, he lets them tell their stories. The cock-a-hoop change in Mapes is shown at the cadence Luke go forth and his caboodle arrive with the engrossed of hanging Beaus killer. Mapes attempts to nourish Charlie and the rest of the hands, state Go home, Luke exit after Luke Will demanded he hands Charlie over to him (Gaines 195).When Luke Will ignored Mapes and finded a shoot out between his conspiracy and the archaic custody, Mapes resigned control of th e situation to the aged(prenominal) men and Charlie. Gaines used this to show that the mindset of people can change for the better. In the instance that Mapes trusted the etiolated-haired(a) men and Charlie with the situation, he recognized them not as people of a lesser racer, but respectable and trustable men, showing that obsolete mens attempt at stand for themselves was able to change a man.Gaines in like manner employs the use of flashbacks in the novel. The primary(prenominal) habit the flashbacks play is to show the hardships and discrimination the African-Americans set about(predicate) in that duration. When Uncle Billy, one of the gray-haired men who gathered to finally stand up for himself after many forms, was asked by Mapes the sheriff his causal agent for killing Beau, as all the gray men claimed to have killed Beau, he recalled an event that happened erstwhile(a) age before. What they did to my boy The way they squelch him.They father him till they impound him nutcase (Gaines 80). Gaines introduced this flashback to show the brutality suffered by the blacks at that time, and that it spared no one, not even a child. other flashback was by Johnny capital of Minnesota, who remembered back to a time when they had all lived as a community, till Beau and his tractor came to spread over it all up. Johnny capital of Minnesota was referring to this time when he confused Mapes by saying But you still dont see. Yes, sir, what you see is the weeds, but you dont see what we dont see. (Gaines 89).Johnny Paul was blithering about how the weeds and m senileer houses had replaced what was once a place of happiness, and coupling among the black families living there. Gaines uses this flashback to show what was interpreted from the African-Americans in the novel, to better explain their take to stand up for themselves. wear out, one of the old men, goes into a flashback of his own. He remembers a time his brother and two mules, rally a washrag man and a tractor. The white man and his friends however said depletes brother had cheated, and eat up him with canes.Gaines adds this flashback to exhibit the obvious distinction between whites and blacks in that time. African-Americans were thought to be less of people than the Cajuns, so for this lesser person, dumbfounds brother Silas, to stick the supposedly skipper white man was unthinkable. Like stupefy said, and because he didnt lose like a nigger is supposed to lose, they produce him (Gaines 97). In that situation a frighten Tucker didnt stand up for his brother, and they beat him to his death.Gaines uses this flashback to show the results of the old men being walked over by the Cajuns, and doing zipper about it. Gable in like manner reminisces about his unfortunate past. He remembers the Cajuns sendencing his sixteen course of instruction old son to the electric chair, on the word of a poor white trash (Gaines 101). He remembers the indifference the Cajuns displayed in killing his son, watching his death, and leaving as though it was a card back up (102). Through this flashback, Gaines shows again how the cruelty of the Cajuns didnt spare any ages.He similarly shows how little the word of a black man counted over that of a white man or woman. When his son was being send to electric chair, Gable couldnt do anything but beg the Cajuns. Gaines then ties this back to the brilliance of the men standing up to their tormentors, hinting such events could possibly have been avoided if they had stood up to their oppressors. Finally, Gaines utilizes symbol in his novel to tell the composing. Throughout the novel, a constant symbol that repeatedly came up was the tractor.The tractor was what Beau Boutan was move when he came after Charlie. The tractor was also what brood many of the African-Americans on the plantation out of work and away from their homes. Finally, the tractor was what the Cajun, Felix Boutan, rode when he was beat by Tuckers brother, Silas, which led to Silas being beat to death. The tractor symbolizes one of the of import tortures of the African-American community in Marshall. It legion them out of work, brood them out of their homes, and at last led to their death, in the case of Charlie and Silas.Gaines added the tractor and all it symbolized to be another bonus to the old men to make a stand. some other symbol was the shotguns that the old men had. The shotguns set down shells in the beginning symbolized the weakness and ineffectiveness the old men had at the start of the story. In letting themselves to be walked over, and oblation no resistance, they were as useless as the shotguns with rescind shells they held in their hands. However, as the story progressed, when it came time to fight, the men had fully sloshed shells and were set for war.This symbolizes the change they went through. From being old useless men with no impact, they were able to make a difference, and have an impact. By standing up for themselves, they displayed their power and pride, which at long last even affected Luke Will, who looked confused, real worried when he realized their conviction (Gaines 205). Concluding, with the use of characterization, flashbacks, and symbolism, Ernest J. Gaines expressed the theme that there comes a time one must stand up for him or herself throughout the book.This theme was expressed through the characters Mathu, who always stood up for himself, Charlie, who learned to, and Candy and Mapes who were characters that were a inducing to the old men standing up for themselves. Gaines used the flashbacks to better portray the sizeableness of the African-Americans in the area standing up for themselves, and he used symbolism to show one of the major torments of the people, and the change the old men went through. By standing up for themselves, the old men not only displayed their power and pride, but also seized enforce of their future for themselves a nd their generations to come.A assembly of Old Men Importance of standing up for oneselfIf you fell down yesterday, stand up today. This quote by H. G. rise up is seen in the novel A convocation of Old Men. The novel, taking place in the 1970s, was in a time in which African-Americans still suffered heavy discrimination. After years of taking this abuse, when an incident comes in which a white man lays dead at the hands of a black man, which would at long last call for a lynching, the discriminated unite. They show that despite their tortured past, they still possess their bravery, power, and pride.This striking novel by Ernest J. Gaines, A Gathering of Old Men, written in a critical tone employs the use of characterization, flashbacks, and symbolism to express the theme that there comes a time one must stand up for him or herself. In the book, a character named Mathu is one who does not falter in up keeping his pride. From the very beginning, he never let anyone insult him bec ause of his African-American heritage. He always stands up for himself, even facing a white man, and never faltered, even when he was move to jail.Because of this attitude, Mathu was respected even by some white men like Mapes who knowed Mathu had never backed down from anybody, either. Maybe thats why he liked him (Gaines 84). Mathu was like a strong rock, the attempts of others at qualification him submit were but pebbles against his overpowering pride and dignity. A character that Mathu attempted to instruct some lessons on becoming a man was Charlie. Charlie, despite his mild character was a large man sublime at 6feet 7inches and weighing 275 pounds.Beau Boutan, Charlies head and some others often ridiculed him with names like Big Charlie and nigger boy because of his mild character (Gaines 187). Charlie however, after observing Mathus strong pride and refusal to let anyone ill-use over that pride, eventually gained some courage to stand up for himself. After he killed Bea u and ran away, he came back and was ready to atone for his deed. Gaines used this event in the novel to show that even though people might be insulted and beat down, they can still gain teeming courage to stand up for themselves.When Charlie did stand up for himself, and became, in his eyes, a man, that eventually led to his death. Gainess killing off of Charlie after he started standing up for himself was alluding to the idea that when people make a stand, they must be careful not to overdo it, like Charlie did, or there might be unfavorable results. another(prenominal) character of interest is Candy. Candy is the proprietor of the place in which all the men gather, and the organizer of the gathering. At first, Candy seems to be genuinely worried about the people in Marshall, saying No I wont let them slander my people I will nourish my people. (Gaines 19).However, as the story progresses Gaines shows that Candys motives may not have been as good-natured as firstly suggested. I ts eventually revealed she does not care more than for the other men gathered in Mathus yard, but only for Mathu himself. term she showed little emotion when the other men were called up to Mapes and hit, she was quick to react when Mathu was called. Gaines also showed Candys true nature in the event when Clatoo wanted to talk to the men inside Mathus house, without Candy.At this point, Candy threatened to have all the men who followed Clatoo kicked out of the Marshall place, their only home. Gaines pictured Candy in this way to show in this time, the idea of oppressing people still existed in the minds of even those who seemed good-natured. Finally, Gaines creates a heterogeneous character out of Mapes. Mapes is a character who experiences a change during the story. When he first arrives at the site of Beaus death, and the gathering of the old men, he acts with the same mindset of the Cajuns in that time.His first rejoinder to the scene is violence. He attempts to gain schooli ng from the old men by hitting them. Eventually, when he realizes violence will experience no results, he lets them tell their stories. The bragging(a) change in Mapes is shown at the time Luke Will and his crew arrive with the absorbed of hanging Beaus killer. Mapes attempts to cherish Charlie and the rest of the men, saying Go home, Luke Will after Luke Will demanded he hands Charlie over to him (Gaines 195).When Luke Will ignored Mapes and started a shoot out between his crew and the old men, Mapes resigned control of the situation to the old men and Charlie. Gaines used this to show that the mindset of people can change for the better. In the instance that Mapes trusted the old men and Charlie with the situation, he recognized them not as people of a lesser racer, but respectable and trustable men, showing that old mens attempt at standing for themselves was able to change a man.Gaines also employs the use of flashbacks in the novel. The main bureau the flashbacks play is to show the hardships and discrimination the African-Americans approach in that time. When Uncle Billy, one of the old men who gathered to finally stand up for himself after many years, was asked by Mapes the sheriff his agreement for killing Beau, as all the old men claimed to have killed Beau, he recalled an event that happened years before. What they did to my boy The way they beat him.They beat him till they beat him sore (Gaines 80). Gaines introduced this flashback to show the brutality suffered by the blacks at that time, and that it spared no one, not even a child. Another flashback was by Johnny Paul, who remembered back to a time when they had all lived as a community, till Beau and his tractor came to embrace it all up. Johnny Paul was referring to this time when he confused Mapes by saying But you still dont see. Yes, sir, what you see is the weeds, but you dont see what we dont see. (Gaines 89).Johnny Paul was talking about how the weeds and corruption houses had re placed what was once a place of happiness, and marriage among the black families living there. Gaines uses this flashback to show what was interpreted from the African-Americans in the novel, to better explain their pick up to stand up for themselves. Tucker, one of the old men, goes into a flashback of his own. He remembers a time his brother and two mules, beat a white man and a tractor. The white man and his friends however said Tuckers brother had cheated, and beat him with canes.Gaines adds this flashback to portray the obvious distinction between whites and blacks in that time. African-Americans were thought to be less of people than the Cajuns, so for this lesser person, Tuckers brother Silas, to beat the supposedly quality white man was unthinkable. Like Tucker said, and because he didnt lose like a nigger is supposed to lose, they beat him (Gaines 97). In that situation a excite Tucker didnt stand up for his brother, and they beat him to his death.Gaines uses this flash back to show the results of the old men being walked over by the Cajuns, and doing secret code about it. Gable also reminisces about his unfortunate past. He remembers the Cajuns sentencing his sixteen year old son to the electric chair, on the word of a poor white trash (Gaines 101). He remembers the indifference the Cajuns displayed in killing his son, watching his death, and leaving as though it was a card zippy (102). Through this flashback, Gaines shows again how the cruelty of the Cajuns didnt spare any ages.He also shows how little the word of a black man counted over that of a white man or woman. When his son was being sent to electric chair, Gable couldnt do anything but beg the Cajuns. Gaines then ties this back to the importance of the men standing up to their tormentors, hinting such events could possibly have been avoided if they had stood up to their oppressors. Finally, Gaines utilizes symbolism in his novel to express the theme. Throughout the novel, a constant sym bol that repeatedly came up was the tractor.The tractor was what Beau Boutan was ride when he came after Charlie. The tractor was also what operate many of the African-Americans on the plantation out of work and away from their homes. Finally, the tractor was what the Cajun, Felix Boutan, rode when he was beat by Tuckers brother, Silas, which led to Silas being beat to death. The tractor symbolizes one of the main tortures of the African-American community in Marshall. It drove them out of work, drove them out of their homes, and eventually led to their death, in the case of Charlie and Silas.Gaines added the tractor and all it symbolized to be another motivator to the old men to make a stand. Another symbol was the shotguns that the old men had. The shotguns empty shells in the beginning symbolized the weakness and ineffectiveness the old men had at the start of the story. In letting themselves to be walked over, and oblation no resistance, they were as useless as the shotguns w ith empty shells they held in their hands. However, as the story progressed, when it came time to fight, the men had fully impish shells and were ready for war.This symbolizes the change they went through. From being old useless men with no impact, they were able to make a difference, and have an impact. By standing up for themselves, they displayed their power and pride, which eventually even affected Luke Will, who looked worried, real worried when he realized their conviction (Gaines 205). Concluding, with the use of characterization, flashbacks, and symbolism, Ernest J. Gaines expressed the theme that there comes a time one must stand up for him or herself throughout the book.This theme was expressed through the characters Mathu, who always stood up for himself, Charlie, who learned to, and Candy and Mapes who were characters that were a motivator to the old men standing up for themselves. Gaines used the flashbacks to better portray the importance of the African-Americans in t he area standing up for themselves, and he used symbolism to show one of the major torments of the people, and the change the old men went through. By standing up for themselves, the old men not only displayed their power and pride, but also seized nominate of their future for themselves and their generations to come.