Literature analysis of Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry

Themes: The Depression, Racism, Race Relations, 1930s American South, African Americans, and Segregation

Summary: Cassie Logan must come face to face with racism and prejudice in Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. The only daughter of an African-American family in 1930s Mississippi, she and her 3 brothers must come to grips with the reality of segregation and the inequalities that exist in her community.

Teaching Suggestions: This book can be used with grades 5 to 8. If used in 5^th grade, the book might best be read aloud, as it contains ideas and vocabulary that may be new to students. This book does contain the word nigger on several pages. And while the black characters do address it as a racial slur, it is important to talk with your class about the hate that comes with a word like that. It also talks about the methods with which people would torture or kill an African American person such as lynching, hanging, burning a person alive, and tar and feathering. These are horrible acts of violence and it is best to evaluate your class’ maturity level before assigning this book.

This book shows racism and discrimination through the eyes of children. It brings it to a level that children may more easily relate to. It can easily tie into many social studies subjects. On a national level you could have it accompany lessons about the Great Depression, race relations in the American South, and African American history. Since this book it set in the year 1933, you can tie it in with the beginning of the Nazi’s rise to power in Germany. It is important for children to understand that racism isn’t something that happens in foreign countries but on home soil too. Scholastic BookFiles offers a fantastic series of materials to use with the book, such as guides discussing themes, opinions, author biography, and activity pages (http://www.scholastic.com/kids/homework/pdfs/Roll_of_Thunder.pdf). Please keep in mind that BookFiles is not a critical critique of Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry and should not be the only resource you use when teaching this book.

Related Idaho Standards:

Grade 5:

· Goal 1.1: Build an understanding of the cultural and social development of the United States. Standard 5.SS.1.1.3 – Identify and explain influential political and cultural groups and their impact on American history.

Grade 6-12:

· Goal 1.1: Build an understanding of the cultural and social development of the United States. Standard 6-12.USH1.1.1.4 - Discuss the causes and effects of various compromises and conflicts in American history such as the American Revolution, Civil War and Reconstruction.

· Goal 4.1: Build an understanding of the foundational principles of the American political system. Standard 6-12.USH1.4.1.3 - Evaluate issues in which fundamental values and principles are in conflict, such as between liberty and equality, individual interests and the common good, and majority rule and minority protections.

· Goal 4.4: Build an understanding of the evolution of democracy. Standard 6-12.USH1.4.4.1 - Describe the role of gender, race, ethnicity, religion, and national origin on the development of individual/political rights.

In Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, Mildred D. Taylor shows the hatred that can grow in people but also shows the humanity and the ability to join together both as a family and as a community. Often times it can be difficult for children to understand racism and hatred if they haven’t experienced it. Taylor paints a clear picture of a child’s view of racism and discrimination. It walks through the steps a child might experience when confronting prejudice, the confusion, the brutal awakening, and the idea that it should never be acceptable. Taylor artfully dodges around the idea of demonizing white men, as she shows the good and the ugly side of humanity. Though based on a fictional and somewhat romanticized family, the book maintains historical accuracy. Taylor is almost graceful in her writing, as it does not contain the undertones of “rancor [hatefulness] or bitterness of indignities” (The New York Times Book Review). While the book’s ending is lacking a Disney-esque climatic denouement in which racism is ended and whites and blacks go skipping down the road, it does roll to a comfortable pause leaving the reader wanting more. As Kirkus reviews puts it “the story ends unmelodramatically not far from where it began”. You are left with juxtaposing images of humanity’s ability to come together and its ability to tear apart. You understand that this is merely the enlightenment of Cassie Logan and the beginning of her journey.

Sources:

Taylor, Mildred D., Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, 1976, Dial Books

While I found many sources who quoted the New York Times Book Review, I was unable to find the actual review myself. Scholastic Book Files contains a variety of sited quotes from the New York Times. (http://www.scholastic.com/kids/homework/pdfs/Roll_of_Thunder.pdf )

Kirkus Book Reviews. (n.d.). Kirkus Book Reviews. Retrieved September 13, 2011, from http://web.ebscohost.com.libproxy.boisestate.edu/novelistk8/detail?vid=7&hid=10&sid=3324b996-46a0-4fcb-b9d3-e4c9793032a7%40sessionmgr11&bdata=JnNpdGU9bm92ZWxpc3RrOC1saXZl#db=nnh&UI=080953