Cassie Logan Struggles

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Faith Hernandez Mrs. Dear 3rd Period English 15 April 2024. Cassie Logan’s Struggle Against Racism. Mildred D. Taylor’s novel Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, focuses on racial tensions during the 1930s. These tensions significantly impact the narrator and main character, Cassie Logan. Cassie is strong-willed, and when she first encounters racism, she remains adamant in her belief that White people are not superior to Blacks. This firmness in her belief leads to trouble for Cassie down the road. The impact of racism on Cassie’s life is apparent through her interactions, actions, and thoughts. Cassie interacts with numerous Whites throughout the novel, and racial tensions typically dominate these interactions. This is evident when she is in the …show more content…

Cassie’s indignation toward Mr. Barnett’s actions is most likely a result of her somewhat sheltered upbringing; she is not afraid to share her frustration regarding the injustice, the way she is used to expressing herself at home. On pages 122 and 123, Cassie takes revenge against Lillian Jean, forcing her to apologize for the Strawberry incident and other offenses committed by the Simmses. As is shown throughout the novel, the Logan family has strong beliefs and often strong tempers. Cassie exhibits both of these traits as she beats up Lillian Jean, and it was not only a stand for herself, but for her beliefs in racial equality. Mr. Jamison is the Logans’ lawyer and is also a friend of theirs. “I liked Mr. Jamison and didn’t mind admitting it. He came to see us several times a year, mainly on business, and although the boys and I were somewhat shy of him, we were always glad to see him” (73). Mr. Jamison is a consistent part of the Logans’ lives; Cassie mentions that he visits their house multiple times a year. Despite this consistency, Cassie is reluctant to be around him. She is used to negative interactions with White people, so …show more content…

Cassie tries to convince Mama that White people are not superior, and although Mama voices her agreement, Cassie continually repeats herself (86-88). Cassie most likely feels highly insecure about her identity due to constant racism aimed at her, and she may be looking for a sort of reassurance from Mama. “But soon, against my will, the vision of ghostly headlights soaked into my mind and an uncontrollable trembling racked my body. And it remained until the dawn, when I fell into a restless sleep” (45). Cassie’s experience watching the Night Riders visit her house exemplifies the deep-rooted fear that White people would be placed in Black communities. As she is exposed to more racism, that fear is likely to grow, unless she continues to fight back and stand up for her rights and the rights of others. “All the questions had been answered, yet we feared, and we sat silently listening to the rain, soft now upon the roof, and watching the door behind which Papa lay, and wished for morning” (146). When Papa is attacked, Cassie feels almost hopeless, and she can do nothing but stare at the door. This feeling of hopelessness

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