Examine how white people and black people regard each other in "No Witchcraft for Sale," "The Moment Before the Gun Went Off," and "The Prisoner Who Wore Glasses." How do they help to teach and support each other, and how do they fail? Think about what each group is trying to protect and when it withholds something from the other.
In the three short stories "No Witchcraft for Sale," "The Moment Before the Gun Went Off," and "The Prisoner Who Wore Glasses," the interactions between white and black characters are explored in various ways. These stories highlight both the attempts to teach and support one another, as well as the failures to understand each other's perspectives. Through the examination of what each group is trying to protect and the instances when information is withheld, a deeper understanding of the dynamics between them is achieved.
In "No Witchcraft for Sale," white characters, represented by the Farquars, hold a position of power over the native African characters, represented by Gideon. The Farquars attempt to teach and support Gideon by offering him modern opportunities, like education and medical treatment. This can be seen as an act of goodwill and an honest effort to bridge the gap between the two groups. However, the Farquars fail to fully understand Gideon's culture and beliefs. When Gideon saves their son from a poisonous serpent using traditional remedies, the Farquars dismiss his actions as superstitions. The story highlights the failure of the white characters to appreciate and learn from Gideon's knowledge.
Similarly, in "The Moment Before the Gun Went Off," the white farmer, Van der Vyver, tries to teach and support his black farmworker, Lucas. Van der Vyver keeps Lucas's mixed-race son, Lucas Jr., close to him, providing him with education and a better life. This protection is motivated by Van der Vyver's desire to alleviate his guilt over his illegitimate child. However, Van der Vyver fails to acknowledge his underlying racism and treat Lucas as an equal. When Lucas Jr. accidentally kills himself with Van der Vyver's gun, it becomes evident that the protection offered by the white farmer comes with paternalistic tendencies, exemplifying the failure to understand and respect Lucas's own identity and rights.
Contrastingly, in "The Prisoner Who Wore Glasses," the interactions between the white prison guards and the incarcerated black prisoner, Brille, take a different shape. Brille is a humble, educated man who recognizes that education can empower individuals. He attempts to teach and support his fellow inmates, encouraging unity and equality. In this story, it is Brille who tries to protect the rights and dignity of his fellow prisoners, advocating for their voices to be heard. The white prison guards, however, perceive Brille's actions as a threat to their authority and suppress any form of resistance. The story portrays the failure of the guards to recognize the potential value of Brille's teachings and to understand the prisoners' desire for justice.
Throughout these stories, both white and black characters make attempts to teach and support each other. However, they often fail due to a lack of genuine understanding and empathy for each other's perspectives. The white characters generally hold positions of power and attempt to protect their own interests, often ignoring the knowledge and experiences of the black characters. This withholding of information and dismissal of cultural practices prevents genuine connection and hampers their ability to learn and grow together.
These stories highlight the complexities of race relations and the challenges of true understanding and support between different racial groups. They serve as reminders of the importance of empathy, respect, and the acknowledgment of each other's cultures in order to build meaningful connections and dismantle the barriers that divide them.