When we were approaching the chapter about the Christmas
program, I wasn’t sure exactly what it was going to look like – I wasn’t sure
if Grant was going to skim over the Christmas program like As I Lay Dying skimmed over Addie’s burial, or actually give some
details about it. Since it doesn’t seem particularly monumental in the grand
arch of the story, I could really see it going either way. But as we’ve seen,
Grant isn’t really the type to skim over things. He gives tons of information
as to what happens in the Rainbow Club and gives a long, detailed monologue
concerning what it means to be a hero.
It’s not surprising, then, that Grant does cover the
Christmas program with a certain amount of detail. But when I read the chapter,
it did surprise me a little exactly how much detail he gave. I was expecting
something more like a list of the songs they sang and maybe a couple of highlights.
Instead, Grant describes the members of the audience, elaborately describes
every aspect of the dramatic reading of ‘Twas
the Night Before Christmas, and even gives quite a lengthy excerpt of the
program’s dialogue at one point. Why might Grant give so much effort telling us
about an event which likely won’t have too great an impact on the events of the
rest of the story?
To me, it seems like Grant is sort of taking this chapter as
an opportunity to redeem himself in the readers’ eyes. At this point, he hasn’t
made too much progress with Jefferson (although it isn’t far off!). Personally,
I would be disappointed, apprehensive, and doubting my ability to make any
impact on Jefferson before his execution. This chapter might serve as a reminder
both to the readers and to Grant himself that he is, in fact, capable of making
a difference as a teacher, and capable of success in general. In light of the
imminent progress Grant will have with Jefferson, perhaps the Christmas program
really worked as a self-esteem booster.
This is a really interesting take! I agree he probably is using the event to analyze the impact he is making. I think he finally realizes how much Jefferson means to the community, given the gifts that have accumulated for him. After this we see him starting to make progress with Jefferson; it's almost a turning point in the narrative.
ReplyDeleteOne effect of this lengthy narration of the Christmas program (including all of Rev. Ambrose's pointed but indirect comments about Grant!) is, ironically, to establish Grant's distance from the rest of the community. He shows a certain knowledge of all these people--he recognizes everyone in the audience by name, and he remarks on all the things that are the same year after year, as they all go through this same routine--but in the end, he's standing off alone by himself while everyone socializes. There's a community, and Grant is able to depict that community in great detail, revealing some deep knowledge of these roots of his--but in the end, he doesn't quite feel like one of them.
ReplyDeleteOooh that's a good point, I actually hadn't really noticed that until you mentioned it. I think he goes into so much detail because it's something he's really familiar with. He knows all the kids performing and how everything needs to go. It's something he, I think, has control over. As opposed to the Jefferson situation where it may seem like he's not progressing (even though he eventually does) This was something he could look forward to and be proud of.
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