In the novel A Gathering of Old Men, Ernest J. Gaines, portrays the

Novel through the eyes of individual narrators involved on the events of the day. The novel focuses on a group of cowardly black men who finally stop running and stand up for themselves and years of suffering. There is great difference between the narration of the black and white people. The black men grow through the novel and become individuals and depict their inner pain. The Cajuns do not see nor realize the years of pain and guilt that the black men have carried with them. The story illustrates two worlds, the inner world is the life in Marshall Quarters, the old black men and their family; the outer world being everything outside the Quarters, Fix, the Cajuns, and even the white people.

The blacks have an inner family that has experienced similar hardships and treats each other in ways that are considered offensive by those members of the outside world. One of the most prominent examples is his use of the Christian names, given by their ancestors slave owners; and their nicknames. Before each black person narrates they are introduced, "Grant Bello aka Cherry" (41). Throughout the entire novel all b

There are continuous examples through the novel that illustrate the presence and difference in the two worlds. Each of the old men tells a story of pain due to oppression by the white man. These stories automatically separate Mapes, Fix, or even Candy from the world and lives of the men. The common thread that unites these men is their story. Only on this day do they become individuals versus a group, a world with a common thread. They became individuals by telling their story that also depicted the difference in worlds. When Johnny Paul tells his story of the palm-of-Christians he tells Mapes, the outer world, "No, Sheriff, you don't see. You do not even know what I don't see" (89). The black men have different experiences and histories that separate them from the outside world. This is constant though the stories. To the Cajuns, the graveyard is more land, but to the blacks it's their ancestors and identity. Without the graveyard, they will not be remembered. Each of the stories is a division between the two worlds. When Charlie returns to his world to confess the he killed Beau, he becomes a man. And says "I want the world to know I'm a man" (187). By admitting his actions and standing up for himself he is proud. Although his action is murder, he still believes the world needs to see him as a man. In the end of the novel Mathu makes the decision to ride with Clatoo and the others that greatly symbolizes the two worlds. The inner world sticks together, especiall

Some common words found in the essay are:
Johnny Paul, Marshall Quarters, Ernest Gaines, Charlie Biggs, Mister Biggs, Fix Cajuns, Sylvester Battly, Lou Dimes, Fix Candy, Grant Bello, inner world, outside world, outer world, marshall quarters, worlds inner world, worlds inner, entire novel, sylvester battly, common thread, tells story, difference worlds,
Approximate Word count = 1005
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)