Realization

Shrouded by the veil of white privilege in the 1950’s segregated South, Hiram Hillburn, Chris Crowe’s protagonist in, Mississippi Trial 1955, is constrained by love and bigotry. Through the eyes of a child, he sees nothing amiss, but the scope of his vision broadens as a young man.  The horrific context of murder and betrayal in Greenwood, Mississippi forever tarnishes his idyllic childhood memories. In the midst of loss and confusion, Hiram finds his own voice, and a willingness to speak for the truth.  Framed by the turmoil of the 1960’s, Doug Swieteck struggles with poverty and class distinction in Okay For Now, by Gary D. Schmidt.  Familial dysfunction and trouble at school leaves Doug bitter and angry.  He is weary from the weight of it all until an unexpected cast of townspeople show him his own talents.  Both protagonists come of age with small towns as vivid and powerful backdrops.

 

The view of small town life shifts for both Hiram and Doug.  The shift, however, is in opposite directions.  Hiram’s glowing view of small town life is formed in the early childhood days he spent in the care of his well-to-do grandparents where everything is in the normal order, according to his grandfather.  “Gramma and Grampa lived in a big white two-story house… tall and wide.” (Crowe, pp. 9-10)   On the other hand, Doug is forced to leave the city, due to his father’s job issues.  Doug refers to their rented house on the wrong side of the tracks as “the dump.”  Doug sees the small town as yet another place he will not gain acceptance.  “Here are the stats for stupid Marysville … I hate that we had to come here.” (Schmidt, pp.14-15) It is no surprise Hiram is oblivious to his advantageous position, while Doug is acutely aware of his subordinate status.  If we have never experienced hunger are we truly aware that it exists?

Prejudice is alive in both novels.  Racial prejudice creates a familial wedge in Hiram’s family, whereas class prejudice ricochets back and forth between Doug’s family and some of the townspeople.  Hiram is at a loss to understand why his father and grandfather are so alienated until the murder of a young black man.  As the investigation unfolds, the dark under-belly of Greenwood is exposed.  “It made me sick, and all I wanted to do was get out of there, out of Mississippi, and back home where things and people weren’t so crazy.” (Crowe, p. 192)  Hiram itches to leave the place he once felt most at home.  Doug finds refuge at the library and develops his ability to draw, as he discovers that his family’s status does not matter to everyone.  On his delivery route, the town opens up before him with unexpected acceptance.  Doug comes to feel that he has finally found a home. “Do you know what it feels like when you think you know just where you want to go and maybe you’re already there?’ (Schmidt, p.353)  One boy cannot wait to separate himself from the small town, while the other reluctantly embraces it.

 

Both Hiram and Doug witness a slanted vision of the world through the eyes of a male role model. Hiram’s grandfather views blacks as inferior and strives to pass that perception on to Hiram.  Doug’s sleazy father portrays the world as an unfair place where everyone is out to get everyone else.  Through keen observations and first-hand interactions both protagonists journey toward forming their own opinions and beliefs.  While Hiram’s conclusions take away his innocence regarding the decency of his grandfather, they do not change his love.  Doug’s father, although still far from perfection undergoes some realizations of his own, showing Doug the potential for a closer, more honest relationship.

Both authors take readers on a journey of realization as seen through the eyes of young men in small towns.  The depictions of the characters look like people we might actually know or have known.  They are stories in which misconceptions are shattered and long-held opinions of societal pecking orders are forever dispelled.  Hiram emerges with a firm grasp on the importance of following his own conscience, while Doug learns the importance of grasping the hands which are extended in friendship along life’s journey.

Personal note:  Like both of the characters depicted, I have learned that even the people I love may have imperfections.  Some of the flaws are superficial, while others may test the bounds of our relationship.