"A Dark-Brown Dog" (w.1893 p.1901) Stephan Crane Flashcards
(36 cards)
What does the Dog represent?
A newly freed slave. He appears lost with his new found freedom, tripping over the leash, still in the mentality of slavery.
What does the Child represent?
The Child represents the new generation of Southerners attempting to treat black slaves as equals. But as Crane alludes doesn’t quite treat the Dog as it deserves, nor can the Child protect it from more powerful forces.
What does the Father represent?
He represents the “Jim Crow” Laws. Ultimately letting the Dog in the house just to spite the Family who protests, an angry and alcoholic man responsible for administering hateful abuse to the Dog resulting in its submission and inevitable death, despite the pleadings of the Child.
What does the Family represent?
Crane does not release details other than when the first time the dog appears “they made great protest”. It may be that the wife represents the North and federal laws, remaining silent and therefore tolerance in the mistreatment of the Dog at the hands of the father. She participates in the beating similar to the federal ‘separate but equal’ decision.
What does the Neighbours represent?
Their role in the story is as witnesses to the horror of watching the Dog thrown to his death. They are complicitous because they took mo action to stop the abuse, despite being aware.
Key Theme: Subjugation
Stray Dogs, like recently freed slaves, don’t know they deserve to be treated well; they tolerate cruelty and seek affections; hoping conditions will improve
Key Theme: Submission
An adaptive coping mechanism, easier than fighting or fleeing hatred
Key Theme: Hatred is taught…
…not innate, the Child learns from the Father.
Key Theme: Protection
…depends on the power of the protector, the Child is powerless to its Father.
Key Theme: Limits of Faith
Praying for your enemy rarely changes them.
Key Theme: Good intentions
…aren’t enough. The head of the house makes the rules, the others are powerless.
Key Theme: Silent adaption
…while the Family is throwing objects and directly hurting the Dog, the Neighbours know the abuse is happening, but tolerate it, sharing guilt in the Dogs death.
Etymology of Jim Crow
The origins of the term ‘Jim Crow’ came from a 19C song “Jump Jim Crow”
The white actor, Thomas Dartmouth, performed minstrel shows and popularised the character in his song and dance act in the 1830’s
The caricature name became a derogatory term for African-Americans
What does the term “Jim Crow Laws” refer to?
The term “Jim Crow Laws” refers to the repressive laws and customs aimed to restrict African-American rights
When was the Reconstructive Period?
(1865-1877) in the ‘Jim Crow South’
What movement surged during the Reconstructive Period?
White supremacy campaigns as well as decades after the Civil War African Americans remained in serf-like conditions,rendered by an employer or landowner, culling basic rights
What Federal protections were established to offer basic Civil Rights?
Amendments 13-15 called reconstructive Amendments
What were Jim Crow Laws?
State and local statutes which segregated and effectively stripped African-Americans and poor white voters rights through strict election rules, literacy and record-keeping requirements
How did Federal Governments help southern segregation?
Plessy vs Furgeson, the 1896 Supreme Court decision allowing ‘separate but equal’ institutions.
What percentage of African-American were registered in Louisiana in 1910?
5%
What did North-Carolina eliminate between 1896-1904?
All African-American voters
How long did the ‘separate but equal’ implement last?
Until the World War II Era
What did President Wilson, elected 1912, do towards “separate but equal”?
Imposed segregation of federal workers and allowed southern democrats to continue suppressing minorities.
What did President Truman do in 1948 against “separate but equal”?
Desegregated the armed services
