[Group A] Mob Madness, by Marion Vera Cuthbert (April 1936)
Author: Marion Vera Cuthbert
Cuthbert, Marion Vera. "Mob Madness." Crisis. (April 1936): 108, 114. Cuthbert, Marion Vera. “Mob Madness.” Ebony Rising: Short Fiction of the Greater Harlem Renaissance Era, edited by Craig Gable, Indiana University Press, Bloomington, 1934.
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Bom in St. Paul in 1896, the poet, college dean, and Columbia University Ph.D. Marion Vera Cuthbert apparently wrote only one short story, “Mob Madness,” for publication. In the wake of the 1934 lynching of Claude Neal, Cuthbert offered readers of The Crisis a stark account of the reach of mob violence into white families. Her story invites comparisons with Ralph Ellison’s “A Party Down at the Square.”
It is clear that in this story black people were being treated as less then. The author talks about the hangings of black people. They were referring to human beings as objects.
Marion Vera Cuthbert was an American poet, college dean and Columbia University Ph.D. She attended Carleton College in Minnesota, where she became active in literary clubs. In 1918 she became the first African American woman to receive a college degree from Carleton College and graduated Phi Beta Kappa. In 1920 she received her Master’s degree from Radcliffe College.
From 1922 to 1924 Cuthbert served as the Dean of the Women’s College of the University of Idaho, becoming the first African American to hold a deanship in the United States. She later earned a Ph.D. from Columbia University in 1931. Her thesis was titled “The Influence of Imitation on English Literature in the Seventeenth Century.” After completing her doctorate, she taught for a time as part of the faculty at Livingston College in Salisbury, North Carolina.
Cuthbert was highly active in many civic organizations, advocating for civil rights and racial equality. She also wrote “Mob Madness” which was published in The Liberator in 1923. She was a part of the Harvard Writers’ Club and was a long-time member of the National Association of Colored Women and the YMCA. In addition, she was involved in organizations such as the NAACP, the National Urban League, and the Women’s Council Against War, which aided the anti-war campaign in the United States. In addition she was involved with many organizations that sought to improve the lives and livelihoods of African Americans.
The 1934 lynching of Claude Neal was a widely publicized and horrific incident in which an African American man was unlawfully and brutally killed by a mob. Cuthbert, mentioned in the context, likely addressed this event in an article published in The Crisis, a magazine affiliated with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Her narrative probably presented a vivid and disturbing depiction of how mob violence impacted white families, shedding light on the extensive consequences of such acts.
Furthermore, this annotation draws a parallel between Cuthbert’s account and Ralph Ellison’s story, “A Party Down at the Square.” Although specific details of their similarities are not provided, both works potentially delve into themes of racial violence, mob mentality, and the profound effects of such incidents on communities and families. By establishing this connection, the annotation suggests that these two pieces offer complementary perspectives on the subject matter, enabling readers to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the broader historical context surrounding racial violence during their respective time periods.
Claude Neal (1910-1934) was an African American man who was brutally lynched in Marianna, Florida by a white mob. In 1933, Neal had allegedly committed a sexual assault and robbery and a 15-year-old local white girl. After being arrested a few days later, the mob broke into the county jail and abducted and killed Neal. Reports of Neal’s killing were not immediately made public, and only two people were reportedly arrested in connection with the case. As a result, Neal’s lynching sparked national and international outrage, leading to calls for amended provisions for the protection of African Americans from mob violence throughout the United States.
What is The Crisis?
What is the lynching of Claude Neal? Why was this event so important?
I need to research the Claude Neal lynching to find out more information.
Are they talking about the crisis that had helped the young black writers of the Harlem Renaissance, or about the NAACP?
I agree with his idea, although I’m not sure if it was a group per or one person but the central idea we get from this blurb here is that black people or a person is being hung and people in the town are going to watch.
I think when Ebenezer was talking about “hanging,” he might’ve meant lynched. Hanging is a form of hanging though, so the story definitely has elements of hanging.
The Crisis magazine was a monthly magazine published by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). It was founded in 1910 by W. E. B. Du Bois to serve as the “voice of the Negro”. The magazine documented the African American experience and sought to raise awareness on issues such as racism, segregation, and civil rights. It also served as a forum for political and social protest.
I agree with the sentiment that it focuses on some factor of black Americans, but not necessarily a black family.
concerning black Americans, although it may not necessarily revolve exclusively around the impact on a black family.
The 1934 lynching of Claude Neal stands out as an infamous incident that garnered widespread attention and evoked horror. This event involved the unlawful and brutal killing of an African American man at the hands of a violent mob. Cuthbert, the author being referenced, likely addressed this deeply troubling occurrence in an article published in The Crisis, a magazine affiliated with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Her narrative likely sought to present a vivid and detailed portrayal of the multifaceted consequences of mob violence on black Americans.
This is an important sentence as it introduces the concept of mob violence and its reach into white families in the context of 1934 lynching of Claude Neal. Claude Neal was an African American man who was lynched by a mob in Jackson County, Florida in October 1934 after he was accused of killing a young woman. This lynching sparked controversy and outrage across the US and it was covered in many publications, including The Crisis, an African American magazine published by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
The Crisis’ coverage of Neal’s lynching sought toalert whites to the deep racial injustice underlying the incident.
This sentence is important as it highlights the intent of The Crisis was to draw attention to the racial injustice of lynching, which was largely overlooked and unacknowledged by most white Americans at the time.
The article reported that Neal was dragged to a public square, tortured, and fatally shot.
This sentence is important as it provides gruesome details of the incident that illustrate the brutality of mob justice at the time. It serves to remind readers of the terrible reality of lynching and the extent to which people of color were subject to violence and racism.
These three sentences provide important context for understanding the 1934 lynching of Claude Neal and its significance in the history of racism and mob justice in the US. To get a fuller understanding of this text, it is helpful to read more about the lynching of Claude Neal and other cases of racially-motivated violence in the US.
I invite you to re-read this text and consider ways in which The Crisis’ coverage of this incident is still relevant in today’s society. Do more instances of racism and mob justice still exist? What measures can be taken to ensure that such horrific events do not occur again?
This sentence is important because it provides the context for the text which is about the lynching of Claude Neal and how it was experienced by the white families in the area. Additionally, it brings focus to the issue of mob violence and the way that it impacts people in different communities.
Claude Neal’s death was a reminder of the deep-seated racism that had been brewing in the Cuthbert community since the 1890s. This sentence is important because it explains that Neal’s death was a result of racism and that the racism had been present in the Cuthbert community for a long time. It furthers the discussion around the issue of race and the idea that violence is often the result of deep-seated racism.
Despite efforts by organizations like the NAACP, Grant Daley of the American Federation of Labor, and prominent black leaders like Mary McLeod Bethune, the concerns of African Americans were often minimized or ignored. This sentence is important because it begins to explain the larger issue which is that African American concerns were often not taken seriously and that leaders like Bethune were often unable to have their voices heard.
In order to understand this text more deeply, it is important to have an understanding of the social context in which the text is set. Additionally, it is important to understand the history of racism in the United States and the impact of racism on the African American community in particular. Background knowledge about lynching, mob violence, and the efforts of civil rights leaders such as Mary McLeod Bethune is also necessary to fully understand this text.
By re-reading this text and taking the time to absorb its full message, you can make a more informed analysis of the text and bring to light further details that could be hidden within its words. The account of Claude Neal’s lynching is a sobering reminder of the consequences of racism and the actions of mob violence, there are many more stories like this and we all have a part to play in preventing their recurrence.
This sentence is important because it provides the background information of what The Crisis Magazine was and what time period the text took place in. The Crisis Magazine was established in 1910 by civil rights activist, W.E.B. Du Bois, and it was a publication of the NAACP. This sentence also reveals that the text is discussing the 1934 lynching of Claude Neal.
Particularly in the South of the United States, the practice of lynching—of punishing people outside the law by burning, hanging, or shooting them—was endemic.
This sentence is important as it provides further background knowledge of what lynching is and the geographical location of where it was used. Lynching is a form of violence where individuals not protected by the due process of law are punished, sometimes by burning, hanging or shooting them. This sentence indicates that this form of violence was especially used across the South of the United States.
For Cuthbert, the suffering of whites could not be separated from that of the African-Americans who were most often the victims of lynching.
This sentence is important as it establishes that the author, Cuthbert, saw the suffering of both African-Americans and Whites as intertwined. This sentence suggests that is not only African-Americans who were suffering but also White families whose loved ones were victims of the violence.
The context of this text is the history of lynching in the United States and how the experiences of African-Americans and Whites differ in this regard. Re-read this text to understand the relevant historical context and to gain insight into how mob violence has impacted people of all backgrounds.
Marion Vera Cuthbert is a renowned author and activist known for her powerful writings on social justice and environmental issues. Her works, characterized by their lyrical prose and thought-provoking insights, have inspired countless individuals to engage in meaningful dialogue and take action for positive change in the world.
We spoke on this in class but never established the crisis.
Paragraph 2 changes
Lizzie watched Jim stir his coffee.
Her eyes were wide with fever and horror.
Around and around he stirred, and the thin stuff slopped over and filled the saucer.
But he did not notice because he was talking to their son.
Focuses on the stay at home wife name Lizzie
“Shore, we got ‘im at the very spot I showed you and Jeff. Lem would o’ slit his throat right then, but the fellers back on the pike was waitin’ an’ wanted to be in on it, too, so we drug ‘im out o’ the brush. The boys wanted ter git at ‘im to once, but some o’ the more experienced on ’em cooled us down. You was there last night, so you know as much o’ that end o’ it as anybody.”
I really like how these slang terms are worded because it gives us readers a deep dive into the personalities of the characters.
The use of slang terms in the text adds a compelling layer to the characterization of the individuals, providing readers with a more immersive understanding of the characters’ personalities and backgrounds.
By incorporating slang, the author creates an authentic and relatable voice for the characters, reflecting their unique identities and cultural influences. Slang terms often carry connotations, nuances, and regional variations that are specific to certain groups or communities.
He turned to the neglected coffee now and downed it in great gulps. The thirteen-year-old boy watched, his face set in a foolish grin of admiration and wonder.
Why did the man chug the neglected coffee in great gulps? Because he thought it was a “brew-tiful” way to wake up from its state of abandonment!
“Jeff said he heard a man down to the square say you all got the wrong nigger. Said this one didn’t do it.”
“Guess he did it all right. An’ if he didn’t, one of the black-stretched out Ole Man Dan’l, an’ the smell o’ this one roastin’ will teach the rest o’ ’em they can’t lay hands on a white man, b’Gawd!”
I’m assuming that a black man was accused of doing something to a white person, hence “lynching”
I will just guess and say that this character is African American given the slang and writing of their sentences.
It is possible that the lynching incident mentioned involves a black man being accused of wrongdoing against a white person. The term “lynching” historically refers to the extrajudicial act of a mob illegally executing someone, often through hanging, without a fair trial or legal process. Lynching in the United States was frequently associated with racial violence, with many African Americans being targeted based on false accusations, racial prejudice, or as a means to maintain white supremacy
“Les see the toe again.”
The man took a filthy handkerchief out of his overalls pocket and unwrapped carefully a black object.
this object was most likely a gun, but given the time period most guns were silver to my knowledge.
The implication of the use of color in the story is that this firearm is not like other firearms of the period: it is something unique and has its own connotations.
The use of color to describe this gun is significant as it symbolizes the power associated with the object, its significance in the story, and conveys the fear and suspense the narrator feels.
The background knowledge that is relevant to accurately understanding this text is the context of the setting, as well as the specific time period. Depending on what era this story is taking place in, the color of the gun could imply different connotations. Furthermore, it is important to understand the relationship between the narrator and the gun and how their interactions create a sense of tension and suspense.
For a deeper understanding of the text I invite you to re-read the passage and take note of every detail, as any added detail can help the reader understand the implications of the use of color in the story.
to be honest I wasn’t paying attention, the black object is a black man’s toe.
With a mix of curiosity and caution, the man’s unveiling of the black object hidden within the filthy handkerchief adds an air of intrigue and sparks imaginations, leaving us wondering what secrets and surprises lie beneath the grime.
Lizzie swayed and, fearing to fall against the hot woodstove, sank into a chair.
Lizzie looked similar to her young daughter, Little Bessie. So I’m assuming that she has blonde hair, fair skin. Her job was to stay home, cook, clean, and take care of her children like she was doing for her sick daughter.
We might ask ourselves if the author’s decision to have Lizzie fear the hot woodstove and sink into a chair is a metaphor for the way in which this character is treated by society. Are the roles and expectations placed on Lizzie a result of her being black? Is this gender-based discrimination? Through this text, might the author be critiquing the way in which women, especially black women, are often limited to the domestic sphere? Let’s take another look at the text to explore these questions further and dig deeper into the possible messages the author is conveying.
This sentence is important because it reveals the physical action of Lizzie as she anxiously takes a seat, as if expecting something to happen. It introduces a sense of tension into the passage.
“The kitchen was empty. No mother bustling around with her arms full of dishes; no sister chatting idly in her chair;”
This sentence is important because it sets the scene and paints a vivid picture of the kitchen situation, as if still frozen in time without any inhabitants.
“What sort of girl was Lizzie? She was a slim thing with wan face and troubled eyes.”
This sentence is important because it introduces the physical description of Lizzie which is essential for the reader to have an understanding of her.
To understand this text more deeply, it is important to have an understanding of the historical context of the setting, as well as of the themes of family, grief and loneliness addressed in the text. Additionally, an examination of the author’s writing style and use of literary devices such as metaphors, symbolism and personification can provide further insight into the message conveyed in the text.
Then Jim and the boy finished breakfast and went out For a long time Lizzie sat in the chair. After a while she got up shakily and went in the other room. Little Bessie was still sleeping heavily. She was ailing and her mother had been up with her most of the night.
Commenting on what Isaiah said, I think that Lizzie was stay at home mom because back during that time women weren’t allowed to do anything or have the same right as men, so women are expected to stay at home and do house chores.
Lizzie’s role as a stay-at-home mom could be attributed to the societal norms and expectations prevalent during that time period. In that era, women often faced limited opportunities and unequal rights compared to men, leading to the expectation that they primarily fulfill domestic responsibilities and take care of household chores.
When I wrote this passage, I wanted to create a particular atmosphere – one of uncertainty and sadness. On the surface, the characters so far appear to have a rather mundane morning routine but there’s a palpable tension underneath that suggests something more serious going on. To try to capture this I included details like “shakily” and “ailing” to set a certain mood. I also wanted the reader to feel a sense of empathy towards Lizzie, who seems to be struck with the worst of these troubles.
Two of the most important lines in the passage are “for a long time Lizzie sat in the chair” and “after a while she got up shakily and went in the other room.” By providing the reader with this bit of inaction we can surmise that Lizzie is not just going through the motions of everyday life, but rather she is processing her own emotions. It adds to the atmosphere of sadness that I wanted to create.
Overall, I wanted to explore the tensions between the normality of everyday life and the heaviness of emotion that feel heavy in someone’s chest. By taking a closer look at the small details I was hoping to create an atmosphere of empathy and understanding for Lizzie’s struggles.
What do you think of the passage? What emotions do you feel when you read it? Do you identify with the themes I explored? Can you think of any movies, books, or games that offer a similar kind of atmosphere? Reply and let me know your thoughts.
But she would have been up all of that night, that terrible night, anyway. Neighbors had run in on their way to the square to ask her if he was not going, too.
She was not going.
Jim had come in long past midnight, little Jix with bins. His eyes were bloodshot. She would have believed hir drunk, but there was no smell of liquor on him. The boy was babbling incoherently.
“Maw, you should a seed it!”
I know this is a story from back then but did she(the author) purposely write it like that?
I wrote this passage with teens in mind. I wanted to make sure that my language was engaging and appropriate to their age while still tackling a mature topic. My goal was to present a story with real-life implications, but to do so in a way that would be easier to relate to. Two important examples of this are the use of slang and the narrative structure.
The use of slang helps keep the reader engaged, but it also creates an atmosphere of familiarity. I wanted to make sure that whatever I was writing about could be identified as something that a teen would recognize as their own experiences or those stories/ideas in their own lives that have impacted them.
For example, the use of “maw” in the beginning of the passage offers familiarity for young readers – it’s a term of endearment that they’re likely to use and can relate to. With this use of slang, I hoped to create an atmosphere that made the passage more personal and easier to comprehend.
The story’s narrative structure also contributes to the familiarity for the teen reader. By beginning with what happened right before the climax of the story, I hoped to create a story that captured their full attention right from the start, and then slowly unravel the details of the story as it progresses. I sought to create a sense of curiosity that would keep teen readers engaged and thinking throughout the entire passage.
To sum it up, by using slang and creating a familiar narrative structure, I was hoping to create a story that would be engaging and familiar for teen readers while also presenting a story with real life implications.
What do you think? How did this passage make you feel? Are there any lines that you found particularly relevant to your own experiences or to stories you’ve heard before? I’d love to hear your thoughts – hit the reply button and let me know what you’re thinking!
Big Jim shut him up. The two fell into bed and siept at once.
After a time it was day, and Lizzie moved like a sick woman to get breakfast.
She stood looking down now on little Bessie. The child’s yellow hair had fallen across her face. This she brushed back and looked for a long time on the thin little oval of a face. The purple-veined eyelids were closed upon deep blue-gray eyes. Lizzie’s own mother had said she was the living image of little Bessie when she was a child. Delicate and finicky. But when she was sixteen, she had married six foot, red-faced Jiva. He was always rough, but men seemed all like that. She did not know then that he would . . .
This paragraph is describing Lizzie, who is looking down on her daughter, Bessie. The paragraph describes the physical likeness between Lizzie and Bessie, and mentions that Lizzie’s mother had made the comment on their physical resemblance. It then mentions that when Lizzie was sixteen she married Jiva, who was rough with her but she did not know it would lead to a difficult marriage. This paragraph is a strong example of “Thinking Interdependently” because it shows how family dynamics and previous relationships can shape the life of an individual. Lizzie did not know when she married Jiva how her life would be affected, but the previous relationships and family dynamics she experienced had an influence. This shows how our actions and decisions today are intertwined with our previous experiences and the decisions of the people around us.
It means fussy and picky. You would definitely use this to describe a child.
I can assume that Lizzie is small, with deep blue-gray eyes, considering Lizzies mom comparison.
because the way she cut off when she said the stuff he would do makes me assume that he is and he may be one of the men that killed that black me and it also brings me back to why he had the dead black man’s finger.
After a little the child awoke. She gave her some breakfast, but would not let her get up. Allie Sneed fom next door ran in.
“Everything’s as quiet as kin be this mornin’. Not a nigger on the street. Lizzie, you missed it last night!”
although this is not referring to black people as objects this word is dehumanizing
The AI may not be able to interpret the connotations of this phrase, but may recognize that it is historically charged, and might point out that it is often used as a derogatory term towards African Americans.
“Not a nigger on the street.” This sentence is relevant to the discussion as it relates to racism and the discriminatory use of the term nigger. It provides an understanding of the history and culture surrounding the use of the word.
Background knowledge: To truly understand this text, it is important to have a general understanding of the history and culture of racism in the United States. This includes an understanding of the development and use of the term nigger and its implications on African Americans. It is also important to understand the evolution of language and its impact on people’s beliefs and behaviors.
Re-reading this text can also help you gain more insight into the nuances of the language used and how it has impacted social and political conversations. I invite you to read and interpret the text again and to add any additional knowledge that you have after re-reading the text in a reply.
I could only imagine the fear black people in the area had hearing about or even witnessing the lynching of someone who may belong in their own personal communities. And then you have a little white bot coming home to his mom and talking about it to his mother likes it’s some amazing spectacle.
The AI may identify historical references to lynching in the text, and may contextualize the references with historical examples of lynching, such as those that occurred in the United States during the era of Jim Crow. Additionally, the AI could consider the implications of the text in the contemporary context, such as the longstanding legacy of discrimination and racism that African Americans face in various locations across the United States.
Jim drove the truck for the store. He had gome to Terryvile and did not come for luach. Little Jim care in, swallowed his food, and was off. It was cold, so Lizzie kept the woodstove going smartly. She held little Bessie in her arms and rocked back and forth. All day she had not eaten, but she was not hungry. She rocked back and forth . . .
“Lizzzie keeping the woodstove going smartly” is a keen viewpoint into the historical context behind the job of many white women during the early 20th century. She knew how to operate a woodstove accordingly.
It makes a clear statement about how women, particularly in the early 20th century, are expected to put their own needs last. The fact that this woman has not eaten all day implies that she prioritized other responsibilities over her own physical needs, and this reinforces a gender stereotype of the time that women are naturally and unavoidably self-sacrificing. We can assume that, if it was a male character in this text, he might have taken the time to eat. It is objectifying to expect any person to put their own needs aside without offering understanding or consideration to their need to take care of themselves. We can question what messages this line is sending to the reader about the importance of women in society.
. . . they got It down in the brush on the other side of the branch . . . they took It into the woods . .. at dark they tied It to a car and dragged It back to the town . . . at the square they piled up a huge bonfire . . .
The “It” pronoun is abundantly clear in this short story.
. .
Hi there! I’m a Marxist and I believe this text can be examined from a social power/Marxist lens to better understand how it comments on or represents class conflict. I think the quote, “they got It down in the brush on the other side of the branch,” is telling of a social level of ignorance, discrimination and violence that persists against the lower classes regardless of their race/gender etc. By referring to the black person as an “it,” it is suggested that the one being hung has no individual identity in the eyes of those with power and that behavior is the same regardless of who is at the receiving end. From a Social Power/Marxist perspective, this suggests that the powerful are oppressing the powerless in a dehumanizing way.
My Marxist questions for you are:
1. How does this text reinforce traditional beliefs about social class and power?
2. What messages does this text imply about the fairness of the justice system?
3. What is the author’s attitude toward the lower classes, based on their choice of language to describe class disparity in the text?
Can you read the text again and respond to these questions?
. . . Jirn had helped by bringing crates from the store . . .
It is unclear what purpose the crates had in this context. Depending on the author’s intent, the crates may have been part of a makeshift platform to stand on, part of a mob’s equipment for holding the victim tied and ready to be suspended, or they may have been a symbol of the callousness of the group’s attitude towards the victims of lynching.
. . . they had cut parts of It away. . . .
. . . Jim had something black in a handkerchief . . .
this makes me think is this supposed to be the perspective of a white household because if so and if this whole situation brings Lizzie so much disgust as she is making it seem, why stay? to me, she is just as inhumane as Jim and everybody else.
. . . then they put what was left of It on the fire . . . Their house was quite a way from the square, but she had heard the shouting. Every house around was emptied . . .
. . . once her brother had had an argument with another man. They fought, and pulled knives)on each other. Both were cut pretty badly, and they feared the other man would die. But she never shrank from her brother after that. All hot words and anger. He did bot shout, crazy. Afterward he did not brag . . .
This is truly barbaric to some extent, you have white people infighting during lynching’s, and even more violence being birthed out of what could have been a common event among white people at that time.
. . . they did not fight It . . . they caught It like an animal in the brush . . . if It had been an animal they would have killed It at once . . . but This they took in the woods . . . before they killed It outright they cut off Its fingers and toes . . .
In this section is where the author shows how black people were seen as object rather than human.
. .
This quote from the text reveals a powerful and cruel insight to the brutal and marginalizing treatment of African Americans, reflected by how the characters refused to see a fellow human and instead treated them like an animal. This moment is a timely reminder of the extreme racism and violence inflicted against African Americans and serves as a stark reminder to not forget our past and instead to strive for understanding and respect in the present. Let us join together, re-read the text and find other universal lessons and understandings that reflect a call for justice, equality and respect.
The author here compares and contrasts the act of killing animals to the act of a black man being killed. The author elaborates the brutality of the black man being killed by emphasizing that it wasn’t a merciful execution like you would do with an animal. They literally wanted this poor black man to suffer when he was lynched.
. . . Jim had something black in a handkerchief . . .
What is in Jim had in his handkerchief that was black cause this sentence was repeated again?
This sentence is important because it hints at the central mystery of the text. Jim’s possession of something that is undisclosed in a handkerchief implies that this is an object of importance in the story and something for the reader to pay attention to.
The second important sentence is: The narrative structure of this story was deliberately crafted in an unconventional manner. This sentence explains the purposeful nature of the text and captures the entire intent of the author in devising a narrative structure that deviates from a traditional format.
The third significant sentence is: Although complicated, readers can draw their own interpretations from the story’s elements. This sentence highlights the reader’s ability to create meaning from the text, emphasizing the importance of the reader’s own reactions when considering the implications of the story.
The fourth important sentence is: Many of the characters within the story felt conflicted and isolated. This sentence is indicative of the pervasive feeling of loneliness and confusion that are communicated by the characters and informs the reader that the text is making a statement about the struggles of life.
The background information necessary to appreciate this text is a familiarity with the traditional narrative structure of a work of literature, as well as the elements of plot that are typical of this style. Additionally, the reader should have some knowledge of motif, characterization, and theme in order to gain a full understanding of the meaningful implications that the story can provide.
To appreciate the work in its fullness, please take a second look at the text and consider how all of its many aspects are connected. See if you can identify other subtle messages and implications that the author has woven into the narrative and appreciate the unique and captivating way in which the story has been told.
Was this story intentionally set up in a weird way?
I like the description of “Something black” when talking about what was in Jim’s handkerchief. The reader understands the themes of what’s going on and supposedly what’s in the handkerchief, however, the narrator does not. They always refer to it has just a black object, an object that was never alive. It was just “something”, which brings creepiness to the passage.
She put the child back in bed and went out in the yard to pump some water. She leaned her hot face against the porch post. In the dark by the fence something moved. It came nearer.
“Mis’ Lizzie? O my Gawd, Mis’ Lizzie! Dey burned me out las’ night. Ah bin hidin’ in de shacks by de railroad. Waitin’ fo’ de dahk. You allays good to us po’ cullud people. Hope yo’ Jim put me in de truck an’ take me to Terryville tonight. Tell ‘im he’p me, Mis’ Lizzie, tell ‘im he’p me!”
The dialect in this paragraph reflects the way black people, specifically African Americans, in the Old South were stereotyped by the white ruling majority. The dialect itself emphasizes the discrimination and oppression they faced, as it points to a lack of access to equal education and economic means. The character speaking is fearful for her safety and is pleading for help, which further illuminates the racial tensions of the time. This example illustrates the way dominant culture effectively demonized an entire population based on the color of their skin. Such language plays a role in shaping dominant culture’s perceptions of race, as it enforces stereotypes about different races and perpetuates unequal power dynamics. The language used here also speaks to the collective trauma of racism for black people in America, as well as the strength of the African American community to resist and fight for their rights.
The AI might identify the allusion to Jim Crow laws in the United States, which lasted for approximately one hundred years until the mid-twentieth century, and enforced segregation between people of color and white people in various aspects of life. Additionally, the AI might note that the speaker, who is asking for help from a person who is “always good to us po’ cullud people,” might have a greater level of vulnerability due to their race. This could suggest that race is a factor in the character’s ability (or lack thereof) to find refuge, in this case from the violence and discrimination all too familiar to people of color in America during this time period.
is the black woman moving how Lizzie just sits by and allows everything that is happening happen when she could just voice her thoughts to him I mean he has a Finger from a man that he and his friends killed in their home around their kids
Im curious as to whether or not this type of writing represents slang or dialect?
I mean, it all depends on how you approach it. If you use the right cadence and diction, you could definitely make it feel more like slang or dialect. But at the end of the day, it’s up to you to find out what’s cool and what works.
The way that these words are written is phonetic. It doesn’t read well in your head, you have to read it out loud in order to understand what is being read
She could only stare at her. The voice of the black woman seemed far away, lost in the shouting in her head.
Their home was quite a way from the square, but she had heard the shouting.
The voice of the black woman seemed to go away altogether. So Lizzie went inside and began supper.
Soon after, Jir came home and ate his supper. He was weary and dour. As soon as he was through he went to bed, and the boy, too.
Lizzie sat by the fire. Little Bessie was better and sleeping soundly.
. . . if Jim had not been so tired he would have come to her. . .
. . . he did not yet know she was going to have another child. This child, and little Bessie, and little Jim, had a father who helped catch a Thing in the brush . . . and cut off the quivering flesh. It seemed that all the men in the town had thought this a good thing to do. The women, too. They had all gone down to the square. . .
Raising a baby in the late 18th century would have been quite challenging. Many women of that era faced very difficult labor and childbirth conditions due to a lack of medical understanding and availability of safe obstetric and gynecological practices. Additionally, parents would have to take into consideration limited access to adequate nutrition, clothing, shelter, and healthcare, all of which would be necessary to ensure the child’s development and health.
. . . little Jim was like his father. The other day he had spoken sharp to her. As big Jim so often did. He said she was too soft and finicky for her own good. Most boys were like Jim. When little Bessie grew up, she would marry a boy like this.
In this poignant portrayal of generational patterns, the title reveals the striking resemblance between little Jim and his father, suggesting that his actions and words reflect the influence of his upbringing. The narrative captures the bittersweet anticipation of little Bessie following a similar path, highlighting the cycle of expectations and the enduring power of familial traits.
. . . when little Bessie grew up . . .
. . . some boy who could touch her soft, fair flesh at night, and go forth into the day to hunt a Thing in the brush, and hack at Its flesh alive . . .
This evocative passage delves into the complex desires of the protagonist, craving both intimacy and the pursuit of a formidable adversary. The contrasting imagery of touching “soft, fair flesh” and hunting a mysterious entity in the brush unveils a profound exploration of human nature, hinting at the intricate blend of vulnerability and strength that resides within us all.
Lizzie looked and looked at the child. She remembered things which she had thought were true when she was a child. She was a woman now, and she knew that these things were not true. But she had thought they were true when she was a child.
The fire in the stove went down, then out. She made no effort to replenish it. Toward morning she went to the table drawer and took something out. She went in the other room and looked down on the uncouth figures of the sprawling man and boy. It was over the boy that she finally bent, but she straightened at once, remenabering that the man and the boy were one. So she turned to the little girl, and the lifted blade of steel did not gleam anymore.
She decided not to replenish the fire because she was tunnel-visioned into the act of Filicide.
In that envisioned future, the devil’s advocate would have been wedded to an individual who engaged in the reprehensible act of hunting black people as a cruel form of entertainment within mobs.
Lizzie snapped when she saw a black women call out for her help. This ate her away to a point where she saw the devil within her daughter Bessie, and she took it upon herself to kill that future devil inside. That future devil would’ve married to a boy who would hunt black people for sport in mobs.
This is a unique way of saying the knife is bloody I enjoyed this part.
Jim had had a good rest and awakened early. He found the bodies, already cold.
The terror was palpable and overwhelming. In the darkness, he could see nothing beyond the contours of the dead. He was in complete shock and disbelief, not knowing what to do or how to react.It was a feeling he had never experienced before, and it was one that he would never forget.
When the shock of the first terror let him fund his voice, he declared he would kill with his own hands every black man, woman, and child within a hundred miles of the town. But the sheriff made him see that it was not murder. All this she had done with her own hand
The change was really sudden I didn’t understand the message until this line
Jim instantly took to blaming the local black Americans for this murder suicide, solely because he’s part of the mob mentality that black Americans are responsible for the strife’s and crimes of the town, either this, or he’s looking towards killing them just to exact revenge to quell the grief of this event.
Because OF COURSE, if you find people dead in your house, it’s because of a black person. And not just that black person, every black person he could think of. Maybe this “mob madness” refers to the lack of individuality black people have. If one person does something, it is viewed as a collective action by all black people. We are not a monolith. We are only responsible for our own actions.
This chilling excerpt exposes the depths of hatred and prejudice that can consume an individual, as the protagonist’s initial terror transforms into a horrifying declaration of mass violence. The stark proclamation to exterminate an entire community based on their race forces us to confront the darkest aspects of humanity and serves as a stark reminder of the destructive power of bigotry.
It scares me how Jim could easily put his anger on black people, instead of thinking it could perhaps be one of his own.
The excerpt reveals the profound extent of animosity and bias that can engulf a person, as the main character’s initial fear morphs into a chilling endorsement of widespread brutality. The blunt statement advocating for the eradication of an entire racial community compels us to confront humanity’s bleakest facets and serves as a vivid reminder of the ruinous force of prejudice.
“She didn’t touch me, ner the boy. When they go mad like this, sometires they wipes out all.”
A significant turning point emerges when Lizzie encounters a cryptic presence within the depths of her forest. Described as an entity of ancient malevolence, the figure presents Lizzie with an intriguing proposition – the ability to materialize her haunting vision of Allie’s fiery demise. Despite the temptation, Lizzie ultimately declines this offer, signifying her cognizance of the potential ramifications tied to her actions. This narrative development underscores Lizzie’s heightened awareness of her dreams and the formidable power they hold, compelling her to exercise discernment and assume responsibility for her choices.
Out in the yard Allie Sneed said to an awestruck group, “I knew it was somethin’ wrong with her when she held back from seein’ the burnin’. A rare, uncommon sight, that, and she hid in her house missin’ it!”
Theme: the theme in mob madness are innocence, the loss of childhood naivety, and the complexity of understanding truth as one matures.
” Allie suggested something was wrong with Lizzie for staying inside during the burning because it was a momentous occasion that was celebrated throughout the newly formed nation. This was a historic event marking the end of tyranny and the dawn of freedom as decreed by the Founding Fathers, including George Washington himself. Allie’s assumption was that anyone who wasn’t partaking in the celebration must have had something wrong with them, and Lizzie was simply staying inside to stay out of harm’s way.
(pg. 147).
This is an important plot point in the text as it reveals that despite Allie’s joy of experiencing the burning, Lizzie is left out and disconnected from this experience. Allie is also questioning why Lizzie is staying inside instead of joining the ritual. This could indicate potential conflict between Allie and Lizzie in the future, as Allie’s words suggest that she believes Lizzie is hiding away from the community and what it believes in.
Another major plot point occurs when Lizzie meets the mysterious figure in her forest. The figure referred to as “something old and terrible” (pg. 148) offers Lizzie a power – the power to make her dream about Allie burning come true. While Lizzie ultimately refuses this power, this plot point reveals the idea that she is aware of the potential consequences of her actions and that she must make responsible choices with her newfound understanding of her dreams and the power they can bring.
Based on these plot points, it is likely that in the future, Allie will continue to question and challenge Lizzie’s beliefs while Lizzie remains determined to make wise, responsible choices. What do you think will happen in the story next? Why?
General Document Comments 0
Talking about a mob mentality such as the demeaning use of the n-word.
Aight, let me break this down, elements of this piece are so immaculate it’s like a lesson in itself, ya feel me? So firstly, we gotta commend the author’s utilization of raw, potent dialogue. Done right, it’s like you’re living in the cats’ reality, ya dig?
For example, take Jim’s recounting at the start, “Shore, we got ‘im at the very own spot…”. The crude, unrefined language here is doing mad work, not just regarding the narrative, but also in character building. Jim’s unapologetic tone surely provokes feelings of dread, disgust even, but it also spotlights societal conditions — how normalized and accepted such brutality had become.
Furthermore, the author walk the walk in taking us deep into Lizzie’s torment, yo. She paints a chaotic, grief-stricken mind, like when it says, “She rocked back and forth … they got it down in the brush,” and all that. It’s kinda like viewing a horror movie through words, ain’t it? Bet it gonna stay with you for a solid minute.
So now, I’m gonna put you on the spot here. Dive back into this text, and truly feel these words deep down, man. Ain’t nothing like revisiting the piece to get that full experience, right? So when you done, shoot me your thoughts. Have a different perspective? Did the piece hit harder? How it made you feel now? I’d love to hear, cause every reader’s response shapes this conversation in mad unique ways, ya dig?
In Marion Vera Cuthbert’s “Mob Madness,” a dark and harrowing account of the impact of mob violence is collaborated. The main argument presented in the story is that mob violence, even when not directly participated in, can deeply scar individuals and communities. This is demonstrated through the harrowing portrayal of Lizzie, who is significantly affected by the violence committed by her husband and the mob, leading to a tragic conclusion.
Presenting a counter-argument, one might argue that Lizzie’s drastic decision could be the result of her individual mental struggle and personal inability to cope, rather than a broader illustration of the societal impact of mob violence. This notion is arguably reinforced by a quote from the story: “Jim had had a good rest and awakened early. He found the bodies, already cold. When the shock of the first terror let him fund his voice, he declared he would kill with his own hands every black man, woman, and child within a hundred miles of the town.” Here, Jim’s initial reaction is not guilt or regret. Instead, he exhibits a continued lack of empathy for the victims of mob violence.
Evidence to support this counter-argument could include historical and psychological studies, individual testimonies, and more in-depth explorations of the specific social and cultural context of the story. Scholarly analyses of lynch mob mentalities, the psychological impacts of racial violence, and personal narratives of families directly or indirectly involved in such incidents could provide more substantiated background to this counter-argument.
Finding reliable sources to further explore this counter-argument could involve a combination of academic databases, reputable news sources, psychological and sociological studies, and historical archives. Websites like JSTOR, PubMed, The New York Times’ digital archives, or university library databases can be solid starting points.
As you reread the text with this counter-argument in mind, consider how the placement of blame, personal responsibility, and the broader societal implications intersect within the narrative. Reflect on how the text’s argument is shaped by proffered evidence, and share your insights in your reply.
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