Sui Sin Far
English 3318 students:
For Week Six's blog, by midnight on Saturday, October 1, please post a comment of at least two well-developed paragraphs comparing and contrasting the city settings of Pauline Hopkins's "Talma Gordon" (762-73), which is set in Boston on the East Coast, and Sui Sin Far's "Mrs. Spring Fragrance" (908-17), which is set in Seattle and San Francisco on the West Coast. How do these unique places with their distinct social environments figure in these narratives? Please use as least two quotations from each story (in other words, at least four total) in your comment.
Keep in mind as you compose your comment that "Talma Gordon," widely acknowledged to be the first Black-authored American mystery story, contains obvious echoes of the most infamous Massachusetts real-life, murder mystery that had happened four years before the publication of "Talma Gordon": the brutal double murders of a very wealthy father and stepmother allegedly at the hands of one of their two heirs--a New England "spinster" named Lizzie Borden, who was accused of killing them with a hatchet. That actual case ended with an acquittal although Borden was likely guilty. Here is a link for an article about the details of this infamous case:
After you publish your comment, please reply in one well-developed paragraph to at least one of the other students' comments.
Thank you,
Dr. K
In terms of social environment, it is to be noted the extreme prejudice of the Bostonian crowd in Pauline Hopkins’s Talma Gordon. Even though Talma Gordon is visibly white, her African ancestry is repugnant to all, even her own lover isn’t brave enough to face “the pollution of Negro blood.” It is this prejudice which drives the plot of the story- how Talma’s sister is driven to attempt to kill her father, his wife, and son due to their sheer dislike and humiliation of her due to that “blood.”
ReplyDeleteIn Mrs. Spring Fragrance, by Sui Sin Far, the social environment is less so of prejudice and more one of competing tradition and pressure of assimilation. This is observed less so in direct examples, and more subtly by how the characters interact and believe. One example is the “Americanized” Spring Fragrances, who in all things excepting religion, and custom, do their best to act American. Mrs. Spring Frangrance however, encourages young Laura to marry for love, not through an arranged marriage as is done customarily in Chinese culture. Her husband by contrast, seems less eager to assimilate when his beliefs are challenged. A comment made by passerby that his wife is an “American woman” now “rankled” him. The couple are in an arranged marriage, but in America love “must be free, or it is not love at all.” Mr. Spring Frangrance thus doubts the love of his wife; he worries that she is subscribing to American values, and finds no love in their marriage. This sets up a major conflict and misunderstanding in the story. The surrounding beliefs of the West Coast, or its social environment also contribute to the plot of the story, much like the East Coast did in Talma Gordon. It should also be noted that in the Hopkin’s story the issues presented are much clearer and dramatic, while in Far’s work, they are more complex, day-to-day conflicts.
I agree that in "Talma Gordon", the entire plot is driven by the societal prejudice. I did not recognize the aspect of competing tradition in "Mrs. Spring Fragrance" when I read through it, but I see now that that does in fact play a role in the couple adjusting to American culture. I did find it interesting the difference in perspectives on American love and culture from both MR and Mrs. Spring Fragrance. Overall, a very insightful response, Daisy!
DeleteTo start with Pauline Hopkins’s, “Talma Gordon”, the description of the Doctor’s home made it obvious to the reader of the time period, as well as the economic status of both the Doctor and his colleagues, as well as the characters within the story he told about his wife. Now, the doctor’s social environment played a large role in how this true story played out, as well as the dialogue that was happening between him and his colleagues at his dinner party. For example, when the narrator states that the banquet hosted at the doctor’s house, “would feast both eye and palate,” (Hopkins 738). This higher-class, extravagant, distinct social environment played a role in the progression, as well as the ending results and reactions to the story that the doctor was telling to his colleagues. Considering the time period that the story is taking place, it was not common for individuals to marry interracially. This opinion is expressed in the story that the doctor is telling, when the father states, “I hurried away to your mother and accused her of infidelity to her marriage vows. I raved like a madman,” (746). Another example not of the characters of the story being told, but of the doctor’s colleagues, is when the doctor asks if they believe in intermarriage with other races, and a colleague goes on to say that, “yes, most emphatically, when they possess decent moral development and physical perfection, for then we develop a superior being…” (738). Including both of those quotes, the societal norm of racism in that time period played a prevalent role in why, and how the doctor told the story, as well as the significance of telling his colleagues before he introduced them to his wife.
ReplyDeleteWhile societal norms of racism are a prominent factor in both of these stories, this story written by Sui Sin Far, covers Chinese immigrants. This author did center a large part of the story's development and movement around Chinese citizens that are trying to adjust to American culture, the author also incorporated the aspect of understanding love through both races. An example of Mr. Spring Fragrance doing this, is when he states, “Love. . .comes before the wedding in this country, does it not?” (926). While I thought these stories were different, they both ultimately have the same theme, or revolve around the same idea. The idea that love exists across all races, all individuals, all backgrounds, and all cultures. A quote from this story that sparked this conclusion in my mind was when Mr. Spring Fragrance states, “But the love is in the heart all the same,” (926). In both stories, although both spouses came from slightly different backgrounds, and have different viewpoints on certain things, love, in the end, was the only thing that mattered.
Abbie, I love the theme behind your post. The fact that you recognized that love is love either way is something I did notice, but it did not become something I fully saw until I read your comment. Your interpretation of both stories is spot on and I am glad to see how you pulled smaller details from both of them to figure out the timeline and societal norms. Great job and the insights you gave were nice to read!
DeleteI loved how you described amazing detail on both stories and diving into the setting. Including the detail of the rooms and how the time periods have an effect on the story and settings really helped bring the understanding of how setting affects a plot. Including the authors take on the story and giving a brief summary of what happens helps the understanding of why the author would write them. Great Job!
DeleteIn “Mrs. Spring Fragrance,” the setting is a huge part of why the story plays out the way that it does. It is set in Seattle and San Francisco in America. When Mr. and Mrs. Spring Fragrance first moved there, the couple didn’t know how to speak the language or even know how to adjust to the culture; after living there for 5 years, Mrs. Spring Fragrance had fully adapted to the culture. She even helped her friend Laura have the relationship she wanted with an American boy because Laura and the boy loved each other. Laura was originally going to be married off to someone she had never met due to Chinese traditions. Mr. Spring Fragrance seemed to have issues with his wife adapting to American culture so quickly; there was a point where he even seemed to fear that while his wife was away, she would love someone else and leave him. “Was the making of American fudge sufficient reason for a wife to wish to remain a week longer in a city where her husband was not?” (Far, C-925). As he begins learning what love is to Americans and how love works in that country, he is still dumbfounded by the words of an American poet. This is completely different from the setting and culture we read about in “Talma Gordon.” At the end of the story, Mr. Spring Fragrance is having to learn the differences between the setting he was in when they lived in China versus the setting now. Even he couldn’t explain the sudden change he was going through to his wife. “But the only explanation which Mr. Spring Fragrance vouchsafed was a jadestone pendant,” (Far, C-929).
ReplyDeleteIn “Talma Gordon,” no one is adjusting to a new place; rather, everyone involved in the story was from Boston. Racism is still at large and the story begins with people talking about interracial marriage and how it’s not a good thing; however, people were meeting there to talk about expansion, so the narrator decides to tell a story to expand his colleagues’ minds. Talma Gordon is the daughter of Captain Gordon, along with her sister Jeanette. This is also during a time period when women were lesser than men; the setting back then can lead to the conclusion that the culture was not respectful to people of color, or women. When the girls’ mom had their brother who turned out to be dark, their father was quite angry; he had no idea their mother had descendants who were of color. When the father remarried and had a son, he was going to leave everything he had to his new wife and son; his daughters would get nothing. Jeanette upon hearing this confronted her father who explained what she had heard as he was speaking with his current wife. “I was disappointed at your birth, and also at the birth of Talma. I wanted a male heir,” (Hopkins, C-746). It was no shock after hearing this that the father, current wife, and new son wound up dead and everything was left to the daughters. Jeanette revealed this in a letter to her sister before she died, but made note that she could not carry out the murders because they were already dead. It is later revealed that the son of a previous crew member killed them after Captain Gordon killed his father. All of this death because of gender, color, and greed were revealed to have a better ending as the narrator concludes his story. He got a rise out of his colleagues who were curious as to what became of Talma after everything, even though they originally were prejudiced against people of color. At the end of the story, the narrator reveals, “…gentlemen, if you will follow me to the drawing-room, I shall have much pleasure in introducing you to my wife- nee Talma Gordon,” (Hopkins, C-748).
Bailey, I thought your comment was very thoughtful and insightful. I appreciate how you compared both the Chinese and American traditions and also how you elaborated on how both stories represented love and and different backgrounds/ethnicities.
DeleteI really liked your look at the doctor's interaction with his colleagues. I really didn't quite think to look at that, focusing more on the story told with Talma Gordon. That was a very interesting analysis of the subtle tactics at play here by the doctor. It's a reminder that sometimes the storyteller themself has importance to the meaning and message of a literary work. I like your look at love between Chinese culture and American norms; I thought your idea that these stories both promote love among cultures and ethnicities was a really unique and insightful way to look at them. The love between the Spring Fragrances was also quite sweet I would add, as a mere reader and not an analyzer. The misunderstanding was also pretty funny.
ReplyDeleteWhile reading Talma Gordon, there is a strong understanding that extreme prejudice surrounds the community. Due to the very open opinions of interracial marriage, murder surrounds those involved, and the question of who it became quite a mystery. The setting of the extreme chaos of the murder, threw off the police, as it seemed it did not seem as though it were a stranger who caused the incident. The setting of the story ties along with the plot such as before the murder the weather setting is described as, “The dazzling daylight dropped slowly into summer twilight” (Hopkins, C-741). This can be seemed like the calm before the storm, which helps the story builds it suspense.
ReplyDeleteIn Mrs. Spring Fragrance, the setting of the story is based on culture and the teaching between different cultural learnings. It is an understanding the complications of adaptation and how Mr. Spring Fragrance has been having an issue with his wife adapting better to the American culture. Mr. Spring Fragrance questioned and thought,” If his wife was becoming as an American woman, would it not be possible for her to love as an American Woman” (Far, C-746). The confrontation of traditional arranged marriage is questioned as the other thought of those choosing who they wish to be with, and love is the central idea of the story.
In both Stories, the unique settings of both, tells two completely different stories. While one deals with prejudice conflict and dark murder, the other deals with embracing culture and viewing other cultures differently.
I think the love stories in Mrs. Spring Fragrance were nice to read and I agree that love was a factor in the story. Yes, the two main characters, the Spring Fragrances, are expected to embrace other cultures, specifically the “Americanized” one. I think that it's worth mentioning the time when the Young Fellow asked Mr. Spring Fragrance to not “invite any other white fellows” because if he did the young man “shall not be able to get in a scoop” (pg. 914). Now he may be exposing himself to another culture, but is he well-intentioned? He is, after all, using it as an article to help his own efforts and calling it a “high-class Chinese stag party”. Now stag is an animal for one, he could have used “gentleman”, and it leads me to believe that he is using them as something to show off.
DeleteI enjoyed reading your input about the stories and how they are similar but different. I loved reading the love stories as well and I think you did an amazing job talking about the struggles of the Spring Fragrances. I also liked your mention of the calm before the storm in Tamala Gordon and the settings of the murders that confused the police. Amazing job.
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ReplyDeleteBoth stories display the ethnic and racial prejudice at the turn of the 20th century. But the regions in which they are set to influence the different acts of intolerance. In “Tamala Gordon” there is a more aggressively direct form and in “Mrs. Spring Fragrance” it’s more deceptive but in no way concealed.
ReplyDeleteThe story’s plot of Tamala Gordon has many parallels to the case of the murder of Aby and Andrew Borden. The case shows how the division between ethnic and religious backgrounds impacted an unjust court ruling. Hopkins's story builds on this case by adding the question of racial prejudice to the inequalities of those in lower socioeconomic class and religious biases. Hopkin points out the unfair treatment when recounting the case in her story, “A poor woman would not have fared so well at the hands of the jury” (pg. 768). Tamla, who represents Lizzie Borden, has standing in a higher class. She has wealth and her “beauty”, which could be a substitute for the religious denomination of Lizzie. The author provides evidence that the efforts of the racial divide are futile with her story. Captain Gordon, is revealed to have unknowingly had children of African American descent. It is revealed in Jeannette’a letter that the Franklins “befriended an octoroon girl” who had a baby who was Isabell.
The story of Mrs. Spring Frangrace follows a married couple and through both of their point of view, Far calls attention to the micro-aggressions directed toward Asian Americans, as well as the errors of americanization. The young neighbor of Mr. Spring Fragrance is the character who not only exhibits internalized racial superiority but also directs micro-aggressions toward Mr. Spring Fragrance. Not only does the young man respond to Mr. Fragrance with “an air of profound wisdom” (pg. 911) but he also tells Mr. Frangrance that “we that are the real Americans are up against that - even more than you” (pg. 914). This is not only a belittling of Mr. Fragrances' experiences but also a direct insult to his citizenship. With Mrs. Spring Fragrance she is supposed to represent what society thought as the ideal Americanized immigrant. She is complemented for her being “just like an American woman” (pg. 915). One of the issues with the americanization of immigrants is that it has historically set the standard that to be American, immigrants, in this case, must change their customs. Mrs. Spring Fragrancce is celebrating a Chinese holiday “the Fifth Moon Festival … making … American Fudge” (pg. 913).
I'd like to start by mentioning both stories show the racial prejudice of the 20th century. Although Tamela appears to be white in color, she is discriminated against based on her heritage and ethnic background. I'd note that even her husband was ashamed of her. Hopkin's story is a parallel to the story of Lizzie Borden and how the color of someones skin, economic standing, and religious beliefs can determine the outcome of their life. The story challenges how the courts can determine outcomes based on one's social status saying, "a poor woman would not have feared so well at the hand of the jury" (768). There is such a big impact of race at this time that before the doctor even mentions his wife he says, "yes, most emphatically, when they possess decent moral development and physical perfection, for then we develop a superior being" (738). This story really reflects how society at the time was so twisted in their morals towards people of color and class.
ReplyDeleteMrs. Spring Fragrance follows the story of an Asian-American couple and how even they faced racism from what their young neighbor would call "real Americans" (914). The Spring Fragrances deal with adapting to a new society where they are looked at as lesser based on their ethnic backgrounds. The story focuses on Mrs Spring Fragrance signifying what would be considered the ideal American woman / immigrant, with her even being called "an American Woman" as a compliment (915). It's difficult to adapt to a new setting whilst trying to maintain the traditions from one's past, especially when you're constantly being looked at differently by others. Both of these stories challenge the morals of the times these stories were written and how social standings, and race often caused discrimination or aggression from others.
“Mrs. Spring Fragrance” and “Talma Gordon” are both similar in how they treat race. The main characters of each story are very conservative with their own skin color and intermixing. For example, in “Mrs. Spring Fragrance,” Mr. Spring Fragrance wishes to host a smoking party during his wife’s absence. The young man next door comes over and is invited to said smoking party, but requests of Mr. Fragrance to not “invite any other white fellows,” to the party (Sui Sin Far, C-926). Meanwhile, in “Talma Gordon,” race is more of an issue when it comes to intermixing relationships. When Edward finds out that Isabel has an inkling of “negro blood,” he despairs that he “could stand the stigma of murder, but add to that the pollution of negro blood,” (Hopkins, C-747).
ReplyDeleteIn contrast, one of the biggest plot points in “Mrs. Spring Fragrance” is the social norm that Asian Americans must follow tradition in how they marry. Comparatively, social norms are thrown out the window for marriage when it comes to traditional values in “Talma Gordon.” In “Mrs. Spring Fragrance,” the love between a young couple, Laura and Kai Tzu, is hidden away from the girl’s parents because “they religiously observed many Chinese customs” and “had betrothed their daughter, Laura” to another young man when she was fifteen (Sui Sin Far, C-922). However, in “Talma Gordon,” intermixed relationships/marriages are blatantly frowned upon because of the distaste of “the pollution of negro blood” (Hopkins, C-747). However, the Doctor, as shown in the end of the story with his marriage to Talma Gordon, claimed he “grew savage thinking of the injustice of the world” in relation to her worsening condition simply because of her heritage.
Hi Kayla! I like how you mentioned the characters being conservative in their color and intermixing. I also like what you had to say about the social norms and the marriages. I think you brought up really important and topics from the stories, and I think you explained them well!
DeleteIn Pauline Hopkins’s “Talma Gordon,” the city setting is around social and cultural issues. In Boston on the East Coast, it is about marriage, race, and money. But this story is also about crime and justice. Jeannette wanted to crack down on all the disgrace and discrimination, and confronted her father and step mother. Here she says “…I had felt my little heart swell with anger at the disparaging hints and slurs concerning our mother. Now was my time. I determined that tonight I would know why she was looked upon as an outcast, and her children subjected to humiliation” (Hopkins 745). It is a story about whites being above blacks, and the intense discrimination so intense that it can affect a family line and a parent toward his children and wife. As Talma uncovered who she was, she was not ashamed of it. Talma cared to find out who murdered her family. “She was free; but her liberty, with blasted prospects and fair fame gone forever, was valueless to her. She seemed to have but one object on her mind: to find the murderers of her parents and half-brother” (Hopkins 743). So, this story is a big journey of many issues intertwined, and a woman overcoming them.
ReplyDeleteIn Sui Sin Far’s “Mrs. Spring Fragrance,” the city setting is similar to the previous story in that it is about marriage and culture. In Seattle and San Francisco on the West Coast it is about assimilation and discrimination. Mrs. Spring Fragrance, “was invited to go everywhere that the wife of an honorable Chinese merchant could go” (Far 923). Mr. and Mrs. Spring Fragrance are finding it hard to incorporate their home Chinese customs with the American customs. While in America, though, they also go on a journey of love. Mr. Spring Fragrance asks questions about love in America, and is inquisitive of how it works. When Mrs. Spring Fragrance returns home she says, “How lovely of you to say that!…You did not always talk like that… You must have been reading my American poetry books” (Far 929). Mr. Spring Fragrance pulls out a special gift for her, the one thing she has wanted and not yet received from him. So, this story has more love and less crime in it, but both endings come to what the characters were searching for.
In Pauline Hopkins's "Talma Gordon", there seems to be a strong consensus in the community that intermarriage is wrong and a lot of the society are racially prejudice, which is how the story takes place. The author provides evidence that the efforts of the racial divide. Captain Gordon goes to see the birth of his baby and to his surprise, the baby looks different as expected, she is darker. In denial he says, "There is no Negro blood in my veins, I said proudly" (Hopkins 771). As he comes to terms that his former wife was of "negro blood", he fully believes that she (the wife) "bring dire disgrace upon the Gordon family" (Hopkins 771).
ReplyDeleteIn Sui Sin Far's "Mrs. Spring Fragrance", the setting is similar to the other story as they are both about love/marriage and culture. It is known that the Asian culture are expected to follow their traditions and customs, especially when referring to arranged marriages. Laura spends a lot of her time with Kai Tzu, but is forced to marry the son of Man You. "'If I had not gone to school with Kai Tzu... then I might consider with complacencey, or at least without horror, my approaching marriage with the son of Man You. But as it is- oh, as it is-!' The girl rocked herself to and fro in heartfelt grief" (Far 911). Later on, Mr. Spring Fragrance adds "If his wife was becoming as an American woman, would it not be possible for her to love as an American Woman” (Far, C-746).
Yes, I love how you broke both of these stories into two simple paragraphs. You kept it short and simple, but definitely on point from the perspective that I also felt the story setting took place. One story is about the circumstances of the time frame and society's view on race, while the other story was based on the different beliefs between cultures and their customs.
DeleteFirst, in “Talma Gordon” the story first takes place in Boston, where a wealthy doctor along with the members of “The Canterbury Club” (p.762, para.1) meet for their regular monthly meeting. The setting takes the time frame of that in which Blacks were still viewed as unequal and interracial marriages are still viewed as unacceptable. However, Doctor Thornton shares other views with those during the meeting. Doctor Thornton proceeds to tell a story about a man known as “Captain Gordon” whose first wife dies leaving behind two daughters. Is murdered along with his new wife and son and the blame is placed on one of his daughters “Talma Gordon”. After remarrying and having a son with his new wife one of the daughters finds out a secret that she and her sister are from a bloodline of “Negro blood” (p.772, para.4) which the father is ashamed of. So much so that he decides that he will not leave them his fortune, but his fortune will only be left to his son. Furious, Captain Gordon’s daughter Jeannette decides that she will go to her father’s room with the intention of “revenge” she states that she discovered the horror of her father, stepmother, and half-brother already murdered. Although she recalls the events of taking the will from her father’s room, she states, “I sought and found the papers, and crept back to my room as I had come” (p.772. para.3) It is later confirmed that the sisters had nothing to do with their father’s death. But a man whose father was killed by Captain Gordon’s son was responsible for his death. The reason behind Doctor Thornton’s belief in interracial marriage was presented when Doctor Thornton says, “gentlemen if you will follow me to the drawing-room, I shall have much pleasure in introducing you to my wife- nee Talma Gordon”
ReplyDeleteNext, in “Mrs. Spring Fragrance” the story is placed in Seattle telling the story of a Chinese couple and their customs. Where many marriages are arranged in the Chinese culture Americans base their marriages solely on the foundations of love. In the story Mr. Spring Fragrance is troubled by the simple words, “Tis better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all” (p.910, para.5), in which he overhears his wife tell the neighbor girl, who is to be married through an arranged marriage rather than being able to marry the boy she is in love with. After his wife leaves for a trip to San Francisco he receives a letter from his wife as well as his cousin who informs him that his wife has been in the company of the “Government schoolmaster” son, who also happens to be the boy who was to be arranged to marry the neighbor girl. Although, at first, he asks himself “Why should I pay any attention to him?” (p.913, para.7), he later begins questioning his wife’s intentions of wanting to stay a week longer. Mr. Spring Fragrance remembers the quote his wife had told the neighbor girl, allowing it to become “so heavy and deep that he quite lost himself within it.” (p.916, para.2) After several days of not sleeping due to worry, his wife returns home, happy to see her husband. However, she is not so sure he feels the same. Mr. Spring Fragrance tells his wife that he must leave to tend to some business, but before he leaves, he overhears the discussion between the wife and neighbor girl about how Mrs. Spring Fragrance had set up the “Government Schoolmasters” son with another young woman, so that the arrangement may be called off, and she would be able to marry the person of her choice. Mr. Spring Fragrance is relieved to find out that his wife had not left to be with another but had helped the neighbor girl to be with the one she loved. Although the customs of the Chinese and Americans are different, the Chinese are faced with the fact that the customs are different in America, and as citizens, they must learn to adapt to these changes.
“Talma Gordon” by Pauline Hopkins, setting is in Boston on the East Coast at the residence of Dr. William Thornton where a meeting/dinner is taking place by the Canterbury Club of Boston. Those that attended are as the narrator said, “men of profound thought…” (p 762), and those, like the narrator, curious to meet the Doctor and his wife. The men were to discuss the expansion of the Republic and the unintended consequences of such an achievement. For Example, Dr. Thornton introduces the subject about amalgamation for discussion to which the majority are against but not worried because it only tends to happen, as the college president said, “ Among the lower classes that may occur, but not to any great extent” to which the Doctor replied that that was not the case and proceeded to tell them a story about a high society woman and her daughters that turned out to be of mix race. Then he introduces his wife as a Talma Gordon, one of the daughters of such woman. Hopkins story is about the elite American families meeting to discuss the expansion of the Republic and the unintended consequences, while Far’s story is about immigrants and the unintended consequences to assimilating.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, “Mrs. Spring Fragrance” by Sue Sin Far is set in San Francisco and Seattle is about a close-knit community of Chinese immigrants residing in San Francisco and Seattle. While the older immigrants are trying to assimilate into their new lives in America while holding on to their old customs and culture, their first-generation children, and younger immigrants like Mrs. Fragrance are trying to assimilate and embrace culture and customs of America. For example, Mrs. Fragrance young friend Mai Gwi Far now goes by her American name, Laura. Laura is also in love with a boy (Kai Tzu), but if their parents were to know they would be upset because they have been betrothed by their parents to someone else as is the custom in their old country. Mrs. Fragrance works it out to help the young couple so that at the end they end up together. Laura is so happy and thanks her by calling her, “-the sweetest jade jewel in the world! (p 917).
Both stories focus on race, sex, and the societies that the protagonists live in. Sui Sin Far’s story “Mrs. Spring Fragrance”, the Spring Fragrances moved to America as Chinese immigrants and became “Americanized”, especially Mrs. Spring Fragrance. Pauline Hopkin’s “Talma Gordon” is a murder mystery surrounded by two girls who become neglected by their father. Both of these stories were fantastic reads, and I was not ready for ending in “Talma Gordon”.
ReplyDeleteIn “Talma Gordon”, the story begins with guests at a dinner party (pristine society) discussing how interracial marriage should never be thing. They then wonder what the host of the party thinks thus Dr. William Thornton gave his opinion on the subject. He tells them that he does believe in interracial marriage and that one day it will take over society. This is the doctor’s main point after he finishes telling the story of Captain Jonathan Gordon and his daughters. Captain Gordon, his second wife, and their son were murdered, and people believed it was his second daughter, Talma Gordon. She returned to Dr. Thornton because she became ill and wanted to let him know the truth. While she met with the doctor, she also met an old lover who wanted to still be with her, but after hearing the truth he no longer wanted to wed her. Though, it was a European that killed Captain Gordon because he wanted revenge for his family. After the doctor finishes telling the story to his guests, they ask about Talma Gordon. Dr. Thornton reveals that Talma became his wife. In a letter, Talma reveals that she is mix raced thus Dr. Thornton believing in intermarriage. The east side of the country at this time had a racial prejudice towards African Americans.
In “Mrs. Spring Fragrance”, the Spring Fragrances moved to Seattle and did not know a word of English. Five years after moving both became “Americanized” and Mrs. Spring Fragrance was even more so than her husband. She knew every single word in the English language, and she became a good housewife to Mr. Spring Fragrance. They became “Americanized” because they don’t follow custom Chinese traditions like some of the other Chinese families they live near to. They changed themselves completely to fit into American society.
The use of social environments and unique places gave so much life and perspective to these stories. Starting with Pauline Hopkin's story Talma Gordon, the setting begins around a prestige club that is celebrating its anniversary at the house of the great Dr. William Thornton, who is also the storyteller of the murder mystery story. The night's topic was "Expansion: Its Effect upon the Future Development of the Anglo Saxon throughout the World." (Hopkins, 739). The house was filled with people who believed in keeping the Anglo blood pure and were discouraged by the thought of amalgamation, but Dr. Thornton explains that amalgamation was bound to happen whether they wanted it to or not. However, unknown to his guests, he has been through a situation where that same mindset and prejudiced attitude created a horrible situation. Dr. Thornton tells the story of Talma Gordon (and her sister), a woman poorly treated by her father only because she was slightly of black descent. When Talma's father figured this out, he was appalled. So much in fact that the story states, "to appease my righteous wrath, Mr. Franklin (Talma's grandfather) left a codicil to his will by which all the property is left at my disposal" (Hopkins, 747). When Talma's sister Jeannette finds this out, she plans to murder the only people to benefit from it, her father, stepmother, and little stepbrother. The ending tells us that the two sisters were indeed innocent of the crime. The father's troubling past returned to bite him in the end, but the message remains. The mindset of their father led them down a road of hate and disgust; that is what broke this family before the murder was even a thought in their minds.
ReplyDeleteThe setting and social environment of Sui Sin Far’s story, Mrs. Spring Fragrance, gave it a back-and-forth feel. I am not very good with history, making this one a little hard to write about. When immigrants come to a new country, the first order of business is acclimating to their new home. A new place will talk differently, feel differently, and have different beliefs. When Mrs. Spring Fragrance came to America, she knew no English but quickly learned it until she started being categorized as “Americanized” (Far, 921). Tension begins to form between her and her husband when he overhears his wife talking with the next-door neighbor’s daughter Laura, whose family still practices the old Chinese ways. Mr. Spring Fragrance hears her say an American quote about love and asks his other neighbor, who is white, what its meaning is. What he hears is that his wife is ok with Laura and her secret love affair with a man that she is not meant to marry. “There is no truth in it whatever. It is disobedient to reason.” (Far, 923). He then begins to question his wife’s loyalty to him. If she can encourage others to leave tradition, what is she willing to do herself, which is not the case at all. Mrs. Spring Fragrance just wants others to find love any way they find it, and she expresses to us that she does love her husband and is still faithful.
“Talma Gordon” by Pauline Hopkins shows major prejudice. Talma Gordon’s African ancestry is bothersome to everyone, including her lover. This prejudice behavior is what controls the plot of the story. It is also the reason why Talma’s sister (Jeanette) attempts to kill her father and his “family.” Talma is the daughter of Captain Gordon. Their mother had their baby brother who turned out to have dark skin. This made their father angry because he no clue that their mother had African Ancestry. The father then married a new woman and made the choice to leave everything he had to his new family instead. This was when Jeanette became furious. Her father told her that he was disappointed in her and her sister because of their African Ancestry. Jeanette left her sister a letter explaining everything. She talked about how she wanted to kill them but the only reason she didn’t is because someone beat her to it. While Talma Gordon is very prejudice, Mrs. Spring Fragrance, by Sui Sin Far is more focused of the pressures of tradition. She tries really hard to stick with traditions and practices. However, she really wants Laura to be able to marry for love. Although Mr. and Mrs. Fragrance were in an arranged marriage, she thinks Laura should have that freedom to choose. Mr. Fragrance starts doubting Mrs. Fragrance’s love for him. The whole story is circling around a misunderstanding between the two.
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