"The Child by Tiger" by Thomas Wolfe is a short story that centers around the experiences of Dick Prosser, a black man in the racially charged South. Although racial issues are not the main theme, there is notable tension between the black and white communities. As an African American residing in a predominantly white area, Dick constantly encounters racial oppression. The narrative emphasizes this strain when Dick is compelled to sit outside the white church during services, intensifying his battle for acceptance.
He was an extraordinary black man with talents that were uncommon among blacks. Dick lives as a white man despite his black skin color. Lon Everett, who is drunk, punches him and anger boils inside Dick. People can reveal their hidden side depending on the environment they are in. Eventually, after society
...ignores him, he goes on a killing spree. Society's pressures play a crucial role in his actions. Prosser completely loses his innocence.
The story begins by introducing Dick Prosser, who was portrayed as highly skilled and capable. This portrayal suggests that he had very few faults, but it also foreshadows the violence he would later exhibit. All Dick desired was acceptance from the white majority in his society. However, over time, he became unable to tolerate the social division that separated the two races. The community remained unaware of the damage they had caused, thus failing to recognize his unexpected eruption of violence.
At the end of the story, his transformation from an innocent lamb to a fierce tiger is evident. The day before the killings, Dick's Bible is found lying on the table face down,
next to his "modern repeating rifle [and] one hundred rounds of ammunition." His skin color reflects his powerlessness and submissive attitude towards the white community. While the whites exploit Dick's skills, they still hold onto preconceived stereotypes that hinder their acceptance of him as one of their own in interracial relationships.
The conclusion of "The Child by Tiger" by Thomas Wolfe is meaningful as it doesn't solely revolve around Prosser's death but also highlights the reactions of the whites. It emphasizes the importance of eliminating discrimination and false stereotypes to prevent the destruction of an imperfect society. The story explores significant contrasts between the black and white communities, portraying the emotional consumption of a black man, Dick Prosser, by the white society.
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