The River Niger (Themes)

Themes

African-American Identity Politics

Throughout the play, Walker explores a variety of approaches to black struggles for racial equality. Several of the different political philosophies and organizations active among African Americans during the early 1970s are mentioned, discussed, and debated by various characters. Mo, Al, Chips, and Skeeter have chosen to fight racism through belonging to a “revolutionary” organization resembling the Black Panthers. Their approach is to attempt to commit a violent act in the name of revolution. The early black nationalist and separatist leader Marcus Garvey is mentioned, as well as Muslim black nationalist leader Malcolm X.

Jeff chooses to struggle against racism within the law, by planning to become a lawyer. John’s wish for his son is that Jeff will succeed in the “United States of America Air Force” — that is, in the white, mainstream world. John himself, however, is unsure of where to direct his energies in the struggle for racial equality; he calls himself a “fighter” but doesn’t know where the “battlefield” is. Dudley, on the other hand, remains cynical about any prospect of either successfully assimilating into white America or effectively fighting racism. He refers to Jeff’s position in the Air Force as that of “a powerless nub in a silly military grist mill” and has no faith in the power of black community, describing it as “Just a bunch of black crabs in a barrel, lying to each other, always lying and pulling each other back down.”

Poetry

Poetry is an important theme of Walker’s play. Although he is a housepainter by trade and a hopeless alcoholic, John is also a poet. Early in the play, John describes himself as a warrior without a battlefield, unsure of how to go about fighting for racial equality. In the end of act 2, he comes closer to defining his “battlefield” in asserting that his racial pride is expressed through his poetry. He tells Dudley, “I’m a poet, ya hear me, a poet! When this country — when this world, learns the meaning of poetry — ” John then turns to his son, explaining to him, “Don’t you see, Jeff, poetry is what the revolution’s all about — never lose sight of the true purpose of the revolution, all revolutions — to restore poetry to the godhead!” John goes on to assert,

Poetry is religion, the alpha and the omega, the cement of the universe. The supereye under which every other eye is scrutinized, and it stretches from one to infinity, from bulls — t to the beatific, the rocking horse of the human spirit — God himself. God himself is pure distilled poetry.

For John, poetry is both a spiritual and a political force. He concludes that, “Ain’t none of us gonna be free until poetry rides a mercury-smooth silver stallion.”

John, however, fails to appreciate that Jeff has left the military precisely because he values poetry — being teased by a fellow serviceman for writing a poem was the incident which caused him to reassess his values and choose to pursue his own will rather than that of his father or of white society.

The importance of poetry to Walker’s concerns with African-American identity and racial equality is indicated by the fact that the title of the play is borrowed from the title of the poem John writes, a poem which celebrates African-American history, culture, and identity.

The Role of Women in the African-American Family

Walker’s play is concerned with the role of women in the African-American family, particularly in terms of how they treat their men. All the women in the play — Grandma, Mattie, Ann, and Gail — are presented in a positive light because they are completely loving, supportive, and non-judgmental toward their men. Grandma seems to be a role model in her absolute idealization of her deceased husband, asserting, “my man was a king.” Mattie is also presented as a model wife in terms of her acceptance and devotion to her husband and her praise of black men in general. Referring to John, she tells Ann, “A good man is a treasure.” Mattie comments, “White folks proclaim that our men are no good and we go ‘round like fools trying to prove them wrong,” and asks, “If our men are no good, then why are all these little white girls trying to gobble ‘em up faster than they can pee straight?”

Although John is an alcoholic, Mattie feels it is her fault; he gave up his educational ambitions in order to support her extended family. The younger women, Ann and Gail, are equally supportive of their men.

Topics for Further Study

• In the play, the character of Ann Vanderguild is from South Africa, and her father is in prison for political activities carried out by her brothers. Learn about the history of racial relations in South Africa in the twentieth century and beyond. In what ways have racial relations in South Africa changed since this play was written?
• African-American political leader Malcolm X is mentioned in the play. Learn more about his political philosophy and activities. In what ways did he influence racial politics in America in the twentieth century? What do you think of his political philosophy and activities?
• Walker’s play was written and takes place during the era of the Civil Rights Movement. Learn more about the history of the Civil Rights Movement. What important events took place? What significant changes in American race relations resulted from the efforts of members of the Civil Rights Movement?
• Walker’s play was first produced during the period of the Black Arts Movement. Learn more about the Black Arts Movement. Who were some of the influential people in formulating and defining the movement? What were the political and aesthetic values set forth by the movement? What important works emerged from the Black Arts Movement?