What is the roles respect and fear play in Cassie's life in the book roll of thunder hear my cry?

Answer 1

In "Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry" by Mildred D. Taylor, respect and fear play significant roles in Cassie's life as a young black girl growing up in the South during the Great Depression.

Respect is a crucial element in the relationships between the black community and white people in the novel. Cassie and her family, as well as their community, must show respect to white people, even when they are treated unfairly. They are expected to use titles such as "Mr." and "Mrs." when addressing white people, and failure to do so can result in severe consequences. Cassie learns early on the importance of respect when she refuses to give up her spot on the sidewalk to a group of white children, and is subsequently threatened with violence by their father.

Fear is another significant factor in Cassie's life. The white people in the novel hold a significant amount of power over the black community, and this power is often wielded through fear. Cassie and her family live in constant fear of retaliation for their actions or words that may be seen as challenging white supremacy. They also fear violence from the Ku Klux Klan, who are known to target and attack black people and their homes. Cassie's fear is heightened when her family's friend T.J. is wrongly accused of a crime and beaten by a group of white men, demonstrating the very real danger and violence that black people face in the segregated South.

Overall, respect and fear are two prominent themes in "Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry," highlighting the complex power dynamics between black and white people in the Southern United States during the 1930s.