Critic of Ernest J. Gaines Short Stories Called Bloodlines Term Paper

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document

Total Length: 662 words ( 2 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: 0

Page 1 of 2

Bloodline collection of five short stories, Bloodline depicts the struggles of day-to-day African-American life in the South. With unique literary devices and keen emotional insight, Author Ernest J. Gaines uses the first person perspective in each tale to make the narratives exceptionally poignant and to bring the characters alive. In fact, two of the tales are told from the perspective of young boys, Gaines captures their innocence and their unwitting exposure to racism deftly in "A Long Day in November," and "The Sky is Gray," "Three Men" depicts the black experience of the American criminal justice system, revealing its faults through symbolism and powerful imagery of life on the inside. "Bloodline" illustrates how Southern blacks fared after the demise of plantation culture in the post-Civil War south. Finally, "Just like a Tree" switches points-of-view, as Gaines portrays blacks as they are viewed in the eyes of the white man. These five narratives offer a glimpse into a world more often than not neglected from the history books, a time of transition and turmoil for American blacks as they gained their official freedom from the bonds of slavery but remained shackled by intense racism ingrained into Southern plantation life. Gaines' characters emerge as beacons of hope and resiliency amid these obstacles; they walk "the way soldiers walk," (217).

Stuck Writing Your "Critic of Ernest J. Gaines Short Stories Called Bloodlines" Term Paper?

View All Our Example Critic of Ernest J. Gaines Short Stories Called Bloodlines Term Paper

Have A Custom Example Essay Written



Both tales told by children, "A Long Day in November," and "The Sky is Gray," are told in the present tense, an unusual literary device. This serves accurately portrays children's perception of the world, and is therefore entirely appropriate, even necessary. Eddie and James, the protagonists in these two tales, respectively, perceive the world as it happens right now, in all its vividness. The stories these boys tell encapsulate the greater themes of the short story collection. Their innocence is shattered by the pervasiveness of racism in their daily lives: they are poor, they are taught to accept their inferior lot in life, and their family life is tough because of it. For example,….....

Show More ⇣

     Open the full completed essay and source list


OR

     Order a one-of-a-kind custom essay on this topic


sample essay writing service

Cite This Resource:

Latest APA Format (6th edition)

Copy Reference
"Critic Of Ernest J Gaines Short Stories Called Bloodlines" (2003, November 19) Retrieved May 22, 2025, from
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/critic-ernest-j-gaines-short-stories-called-158085

Latest MLA Format (8th edition)

Copy Reference
"Critic Of Ernest J Gaines Short Stories Called Bloodlines" 19 November 2003. Web.22 May. 2025. <
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/critic-ernest-j-gaines-short-stories-called-158085>

Latest Chicago Format (16th edition)

Copy Reference
"Critic Of Ernest J Gaines Short Stories Called Bloodlines", 19 November 2003, Accessed.22 May. 2025,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/critic-ernest-j-gaines-short-stories-called-158085
   

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document
order custom essay example