The southern plantation book was invented to rationalize slavery’s unique status in the south. It romanticized characters who would otherwise be considered evil by blacks, the oppressed. The “Southern gentleman,” a staple icon of plantation life, portrays it as easy and comfortable. Charles W. Chesnutt made it possible to defend the southern lifestyle and change perceptions of slavery. Chesnutt’s writings would have a profound impact on the positive image the south has received.
Folk-tales, myths and other stories are among the most effective pieces of fiction that can change the mind of readers. Chesnutt used the characteristics of this genre to appeal to his white audience. Folk-tales are often passed down from generation one to another and remain concrete, but they also provide a deeper meaning. Although some stories may be true, it is important that you identify the real meaning behind them. The text can reveal hidden social intentions that work to challenge preconceived notions by paying attention to details in figurative language, plot and character analysis, as well as overall themes. The Conjure Woman is one of Chesnutt’s stories. He uses plantation-like languages, stereotypes, the conjure woman, and other techniques to subconsciously challenge negative preconceptions and prejudices. He is looking for economic success and plans to cultivate a vineyard. Chesnutt’s brilliant imagination is used to tell the story of Uncle Julius cursing the land. He gives a detailed account of the circumstances that made the property infertile and dangerous. Chesnutt strategically uses plantation language, which is a form of plantation dialect, to demonstrate the lack in education that slaves had. Uncle Julius explains, “Long de nex’ spring, after de sap ‘mence’ ter rise, en Henry ‘n’int ‘is head en sta’ted fer ter git young en soopl, Mars Dugal’ up ‘n tuk Henry ter town, en sole ‘im fer fifteen hunder’ dollars,” (Chesnutt 11). The language used to make sentences is what might first be noticed at first glance. The language’s distraction to many is a sign of a deeper meaning being forced on the reader. His use dialect can be used to interpret the terrible horrors that were wrought by slavery. Julius’s underlying statement regarding Henry being taken to town for 15 hundred dollars exposes the horrific conditions blacks endured during slavery. The oppressive nature and consequences of slavery for blacks was not known to whites. Blacks were not allowed to learn in the slavery system during this period. Empathy becomes a key component in how readers react to stories. It also opens up for compassion and reflection. John and Annie are the main characters. The general white audience absorbs the language. This plantation-like dialect likely serves to incite antiracist emotions at the characters within the inner narratives. Annie comments on the tale of Sandy and lumber by Po’ Sandy (Chesnutt22). Annie’s ability to read Julius’ stories and to understand the metaphors used by the dialect allows her to feel empathy for the horrors that blacks endured. The inner narratives of black characters are written in a plantation-like language. This raises awareness about slavery and encourages empathy. These emotions can be attributed to stereotypes being used throughout the novel.
Stereotypes play an important role in the acquisition and retention of emotions from Chesnutt’s white audience. Julius describes grapes that were grown in The Goophered Grapevine’s vineyard. (Chesnutt 7) The stereotype that blacks aren’t fond of chicken, watermelon, possum or chicken is perpetuated by judgments of different groups. It’s a generalization of someone or something based on a fixed, but often simplified image. Chesnutt might appear to reinforce racial stereotyping by selecting a black man to make the comments against the black communities. In fact, he’s countering the prevailing stereotypes with his insight into common misconceptions about black people. Chesnutt’s approach to blacks is to reinforce stereotypes and criticize John, Annie, as well as other white readers who have largely stereotyped black slaves. To do this, he makes people’s subconscious biases aware and slowly deconstructs their thinking process. Stereotypes were false myths created to gain and keep white power over black slaves. When Julius mentions “black”, subconscious biases, and judgments are revealed. Annie and John are urged to respond. John is a sloppy reader. Annie can understand the metaphorical parts of Julius’s stories, while John reacts with empathy. Annie angrily addresses her husband in the tale of Sis Becky and Pickaninny. She says, “Those details are only ornamental and not essential.” The story is true and may have happened many times. Annie discovers the truth about Julius’s complex, abstract nature through Annie, a slave who was sold and then separated from her child. Annie gets help from conjure women to visit him regularly and is eventually returned to her son. This is significant because it validates Chesnutts intent to include stereotypes. Being white, she symbolises the white community. Chesnutt helps to convey a message both explicitly as well as implicitly about race, ethnicity and gender through stereotypes.
The Conjure Woman is the central theme of the inner stories. Chesnutt’s ability, despite being in a time frame, to grant power to the conjure women in unusual ways demonstrates her influence over his white audience. The Conjure Woman represents a strong black woman who acts in the best interests of others. Through a demonstration of responsibility for whites and blacks, she is stronger than whites in The Goophered Grapevine. Mars Dugal, the white owner of the plantation, turns to her in this moment. This unusual situation is used to show her authority and credibility in influencing whites. Annie, too, is touched by Annie and keeps a mental record of the history of the land. His white readers can see her strength, which is something that black women were discredited for at the time. She is an all-black, self-empowering black woman who is not subject to white control. It is remarkable to see her representation of a breakdown of social norms in black womanhood through the traits and strengths she possesses.
Conjure Woman and Other Tales is a collection of stories that Chesnutt includes in his inner narratives. This is to encourage white readers to think about their own thoughts. Although the stories as a whole show that the overlying message causes a loss of empathy, Annie’s reaction to it shows that empathy is evoked. Annie has been exposed to the horrific horrors of black culture and her romanticizing of southern plantation novels is destroyed. You might think about what the future mindset would look like if he decided not to include different entities in the book. It is likely that his white readers will not be able to see his intentions and would remain critical of black society. The intention was to keep the readers’ minds intact in order to avoid being made aware of the experience of slavery. Chesnutt is a pioneer in literature and has educated readers in ways that are not easily recognized. His tales are different from the works before them. They provide historical, sociological, as well as psychological insight into the American slave experience. These stories, which are complex and hypnotizing in nature, show why Charles Chesnutt is still a popular figure among audiences over the past century.