Southern Fiction

The South has always been depicted as an area of color, where the slave trade shaped the history of the Civil War and debate ensured over the development of the thirteen original colonies becoming united. This connotation isn't necessarily positive or negative, but full of history and stories -- a life that was different, even isolated. Fiction from the south also has a great deal of flavor that is based on cultural influence, racial differences, and area.

In "The Man Who Was Almost a Man" by Richard Wright, the reader is taken through the life of a plantation boy wanting a gun. Dave has determined that the time has come for him to obtain this distinguished ownership, since he is of working age. In Dave's mind, he is going to order his special weapon from the Sears catalog, the "higher-end" store, since he works hard and deserves this purchase. He is a farm-hand and his family receives payment for his work on Mr. Hawkins farm. While Dave's family has their own home, the members of his family all work for the white-folk farmers in their area.

Life in the south has always been depicted as middle-working class. For farm hands, funds can be tight, if there isn't enough work to go around. We can gather that Dave's family is not considerably wealthy, when his mother states in reference to the Sears catalog, "Waal, that's good. We kin use it in the outhouse." (Wright, 814). Money is also used as retribution and repayment of Mr. Hawkins mule, that Dave accidentally shot with his newfound purchase. "Just let the boy keep on working and pay me two dollars a month." (Wright 820). Mr. Hawkins seems to be a considerate farmer offering Dave's family this option, rather than sending for the sheriff. He also doesn't charge a very high fee for the damage that was done.

Dave and his family do not seem to be well educated. Their language is full of southern slang that is even different from the white folks living in the same town. We can see this difference when people gather to determine what actually happened to Mr. Hawkins mule; before Dave admitted that he accidentally shot it. "Whut yuh do wid tha gun?" (Wright 820) a statement asked by Dave's father, take careful reading and analysis to understand the full meaning of the language in the south.

In Zora Neale Hurston's "Sweat," we are exposed to life in Florida, quite earlier in time frame from the story written by Wright, but however completely different "society." We are exposed to the life of Delia and Sykes, a couple that has been married for fifteen years, but that have grown to despise each other. Delia despises Sykes because he is not helpful , beats her, and does not bring any financial stability to their home, which is very unheard of for this time period for a man to not be the bread-winner of the family. Sykes despises Delia as she grows out of her own comfort zone, standing up for her home and the work that she participates in. He finds it repulsive that she brings home clothing of white folks. "Ah done tole you time and again to keep them white folks' clothes outa dis house" (Hurston, 355). She washes clothes for the townsfolk, starting on Sunday evenings, after church, and returning the clean clothing on Saturdays. There seems to be more discontent in the story of Sweat for the white folks that live in the city.

Delia's routine is laid out for us in Chapter II of "Sweat" as she approaches the townspeople. They all seem aware of her situation, yet they don't do anything about it. If times were different, if they didn't live in the south, or if Delia was white, things would certainly be different. This is a great sign of the environment of the south and the lack of moral obligations that individuals had for colored folk. It is well known amongst them that Sykes beats Delia and that he continues to see other women because he desires larger women, over skinny women. Again, Delia's situation to remain the bread-winner, hold her ground, and not become the victim is untraditional of the times.

One of the many traits of the south are the bugs and animals that loom throughout the area, including snakes. The original purpose of the rattlesnake's delivery by Sykes to Delia's home purely to initiate her fear, seems cruel. However, it is very fitting that in the end, Sykes really does get what he deserves, as the snake overpowers him and poisons him to death. Rattlesnakes venom is not something to mess with, yet Sykes didn't tread lightly with the snake and felt that his manly presence and "skill" in handling the snake would keep it from hurting anyone -- unless he chose to do so.

In conclusion, both "Sweat" and "The Man Who Was Almost a Man" portray stories full of color and the life of the south in the time periods they were written. Through the lifestyle of the individuals, the setting, and the cultural environment that surrounded them, as a reader we are able to explore the life in the south and the identity that the south brings to them.

Works Cited

Charters, Ann. The Story and It's Writer. "The Man Who Was Almost a Man" Wright. 2007. Bedford/St. Martin's, Massachusetts.

Charters, Ann. The Story and It's Writer. "Sweat" Hurston. 2007. Bedford/St. Martin's, Massachusetts