Being Cruel To The Blacks example essay topic

There is sufficient evidence in the two stories to fully agree with this view, however there is also evidence which shows that the weak and powerless can use the rich to their advantage. For example, in 'The Train... ' it would seem as though the young husband had exploited the vendor by buying the carving at such a cheap price. However, it is possible that the price paid by the man was more than what the vendor expected in the first place. In 'The Tall Woman' the odd couple live a very happy life, despite their neighbours constantly making fun of them.

This shows that the powerful can be cruel, but they don't always exploit the powerless. In 'The Train', we can clearly see that the societies are divided. When the train comes towards the station, we are told that it cries 'I'm coming' which makes it seem like an interference, something which shouldn't be there. Also, there is no reply, which indicates that there is a sense of unease amongst the blacks waiting at the station. They don't want it to come, but they need it because it is their only real source of income. We learn that "the train boar down on them", which again indicates that the blacks have no choice but to wait for it.

When the train arrives, it is important to note that none of the white people get off the train. It would seem as though they are far too superior to be on the same level as the blacks. This division allows the whites to exploit the blacks. For example, the young man ended up paying a third of the asking price of the carving, which would seem ridiculous when the whites were much wealthier than the blacks. This incident could be looked at differently however. In those times, the blacks expected haggling, so the vendor may have asked for a much higher price than what he actually expected, because he is much more experienced than the couple.

It would also seem as though he has lots to sell. If this were the case, it would seem as though it is actually the whites that are being exploited. When the vendor was given the money, he was "smiling and shaking his head". This can be seen in two different ways. He could be pleased that he has got more money than he expected, or he could have just realised that the whites are cruel and will never pay the full price. Also, the There is a hint of stoicism in this story.

The blacks feel that they are being exploited, but there is a sense that they accept this. There is a comparison between the blacks and the dogs when chocolates are thrown to the dogs, but the hens dart forward and get there first. The dogs here accept this as fate, just as the blacks accept what is happening to them. When the train leaves the station it "had cast the station like skin' This implies that the blacks are used temporarily by the whites, but are then discarded. In this story, it would seem as though the young woman wants to be kind to the blacks. She thinks that she understands how they feel.

However, even while she talks to the young vendor, one cannot help but feel that she is being racist. She says to him "Let me see that one". This is not a request, it is a command. When she points to the carving of the lion, we learn that "her hand commanded". She also raises her voice when she speaks to the vendor. Perhaps the white people cannot help being cruel to the blacks.

There is a hint of stoicism in this story. When the train leaves the station it "cast the station like skin' This implies that the blacks are used temporarily by the whites, but are then discarded. In those times, the blacks expected haggling, so the vendor may have asked for a much higher price than what he actually expected. In 'The Tall Woman and her Short Husband' we see how others exploit a couple simply because of their indifferent looks. In this story the reader is very much involved because at the start, the author tries to make us go against the couple. We see that the couple are being made fun of at a party.

Their facial features are also a cause for amusement for the neighbours. A simile is used to describe the husband's hands. They are described as being "like pudgy little meatballs". The woman's face is said to be "like an unvarnished ping pong bat".

This makes us realize just how easy it is to make fun of a minority. It seems as though it is natural to be cruel to those who are different. However, as the story goes on, we begin to feel sympathetic towards the couple, and there is also a sense of guilt.