The word “right” is obviously fundamental to Jones´s The Known World. It appears frequently
and in a wide variety of contexts, more so than any other word in the entire
book. For me one of the most interesting uses of “right” is when it refers to
what is correct, proper, or honorable. In this context, different characters
use this same word with the same definition to refer to very different things.
As such, the characters can be broken down into two groups—those with social
power and those without it—based solely upon the way in which they use the word
“right.”
The first group of characters includes the free slave-holding
population, both white and black. People like Robbins, Henry, Maude, Skiffington,
and even Moses all use “right” to convey the idea that people should submit to
the whims of those more powerful than themselves. For example, when Robbins
says that “once [Sam] learned right from wrong he gave me good work,” he is referring
to rightness as a resignation and nonresistance (93). Similarly, Fern shows
this same attitude in her dealings with Jedidiah as she repeatedly warns that “If
you do not do right, I will have you in chains again” (259). Fern isn´t trying
to instill a moral code in her slave, she is simply trying to teach him a kind
of meek respect that will lead to absolute disobedience. Thus, for people who are in positions of power
in society, “right” carries a sense not of morality, but rather accepting subservience.
The other characters in the novel, those who are
enslaved, use “right” to describe a very different idea—that which is more
closely related to our modern conception of rightness in terms of being good
and principled. People like Celeste, Elias, and Augustus all use “right” in
this way. One of the most poignant examples comes when Augustus pleads with his
son Henry to “try hard to remember, son. To know the right way” (18). Augustus
is not hoping for Henry to bend to his wishes, but rather than Henry will look
inside himself and decide to break the cycle of oppression that he has experienced
and help those around him.
So looking at the book as a whole, it was really remarkable
to see how one word can mean such different things depending upon who said it.
For the powerful characters in the novel “right” seems to carry a sense of oppressing,
of squashing independent ambitions. The other group of characters view “right”
as a sort of freedom, as an active choice made for oneself to better the lives
of those around you. This split raises an interesting question of how to change
peoples´ opinions and actions when they truly believe in a different “right” than
you do.
I think that what you say about how the definition of “right” in a certain context varies from person to person is a key point in how the book works. Two different people can use the same word in the same context and it will mean two completely different things.
ReplyDeleteOne of the book’s most interesting scenes, for me, is Augustus’ abduction. It’s a fascinating scene for many reasons, but one of them is that it’s one of the only times in the book that a white person uses the word “right” in a moral context and actually means it. Right after Travis eats Augustus’ freedom papers, Barnum tells him, “That ain’t right, Harvey. This just ain’t right.” Travis replies, “Right ain’t got nothing to do with it” (212). Barnum, one of the slave patrollers, and a white man, really is referring to moral rightness when telling Travis off, as opposed to the definition of moral rightness you put forward as the one used by most white characters.
It’s also an interesting exchange because it’s one of the only times a white character admits that he is morally in the wrong in regard to a slave. Travis knows that destroying Augustus’ freedom papers is wrong, but out of pure vindictiveness and bigotry, he does it anyway. I don’t think that most of the other white characters (or even the black characters who own slaves) ever think they’re morally wrong. And although Travis says that he is not in the right, I’m not sure he really thinks it or cares, since he goes ahead with his actions regardless.
I think you are correct when you say that the word "right" has a certain power connotation connected to it. I agree with you that those in power and those without power address the word right differently, and in different contexts. Something you hinted at, that I noticed, is the social and moral distinctions between the two uses of the word right. I don’t know if all of those who have power exercise their power in order to be cruel and punishing, but rather they do it because they perceive it to be the right thing. They are ruthless and mean because society is socially constructed in a way that makes them believe that is what they are supposed to do.
ReplyDeleteA classic example of this is Henry. He owns slaves, but not because he wants to oppress people and have power over them. Rather, he does it because he believes it is what he is supposed to do. It is the right thing to do for a many of his wealth and status. He expresses this when he is discussing his salve ownership with his father, and he says “Nobody told me the wrong of that… I ain’t done nothin’ I ain’t a right to… I ain’t broke no law” (137-138). Henry does not examine the morality of his decision. He believes that, because the law says it is acceptable and those of his status do, owning slaves is the “right” thing to do.
One scene that shows this idea very well is the events that play out on pages 136 through 139, where Henry tells his parents that he is now a slave owner. They have a conversation about right and wrong that kind of shows the idea you are talking about. Augustus and Mildred think it is wrong to own a slave, formed from their experiences and difficulties being a slave and buying themselves out of the system. Henry differs, saying that “Nobody never told me the wrong of that” (137) and that he “ain’t done nothin I ain’t a right to” (138). Already as a young man, Henry and his parent’s definitions of right are shifting away from each other.
ReplyDeleteThis scene basically supports your main argument that the powerless view right in terms of morality while the powerful view right as a means of acting normally within the system. Augustus and Mildred spent years in the role of the powerless, which has consequently formed their opinion that right means moral, and thus that slavery is not “right”. Henry on the other hand, spent comparatively little time as a slave and in easy conditions. He is offered a chance to rise to a position of power by Robbins, and is coming to see what is right is all about maintaining balance and order in the system.