Honestly, even though José gets his education and succeeds in life, the whole story made me very sad. I felt sad for M’man Tine, who literally worked herself to death in the sugar cane fields. I felt sad for José’s mother, whom he rarely saw because she was always working somewhere else. I also felt sad for the children of Black Shack Alley, whose reckless and seemingly “free” childhoods abruptly ended when their parents sent them to work in the petit bandes.
From the very start, José is portrayed as an incredibly thoughtful and obedient child. Despite running around and playing games with his friends, he does what he is told and feels immense guilt whenever he disobeys his neighbours, his grandmother, or his schoolmasters. Even at the age of five, when he tears his clothes, he carefully fixes them and ties knots to hide the damage. Of course, much of this behavior comes from fear of being beaten, but it still. Throughout his entire childhood, José listens to what people tell him to do, rarely questioning authority. In the end, it works out for him though, right? He gets into Lycée Schoelcher, essentially the equivalent of high school, and by passing his exams he could theoretically become anything: a doctor, an engineer, a lawyer etc.
One scene that especially stood out to me is when José is at school and all the children are lining up to buy cake. Afterward his friend and him went to the taps, “ Bussi to wash his fingers, dropping into the sink the rest of his cake; and I, to take my last fill of water” (162) This moment highlights how out of place José is and how much poverty defines his experience, even in spaces meant to offer opportunity.
We know the story is semi-autobiographical. Joseph Zobel himself had a similar childhood, one in which his family sacrificed everything for his education. In his case, it paid off: he became a renowned writer. In fact, we are reading this very novel, something his illiterate family would never have been able to do themselves. Knowing this offers some hope and reassurance to the reader.
If we did not know this outcome, how bleak the novel would be! There is so much love in the story, yes, but is tough love, brutal love shaped by survival. My question to you is, how would our reading of the novel change if we did not know José’s real-life outcome?
5 replies on “Black Shack Alley (Successful, but Still Sad)”
Hi Sofia! I completely agree with your thoughts on this one, and the cake scene was one that really stood out to me as well. I also find comfort in this being semi-autobiographical, and knowing that the sacrifices made by his family allowed Zobel to benefit so much later in his life. Even with this knowledge though, this book was quite a tough one and I think it would still remain quite devastating.
“Knowing this offers some hope and reassurance to the reader.” The curious thing is that the novel itself doesn’t leave much room for hope. José is griefing and talks about the need to tell a story… which we at least know won’t be very happy.
If we didn’t know this outcome, it would’ve definitely felt alot more depressing & hopeless. Knowing that he eventually kind of “made it” makes readers feel better for sure
I really liked how you focused on the sadness that runs through the novel, especially in relation to M’man Tine and José’s mother. The cake scene was a strong example of how poverty follows José even in school spaces that are supposed to offer opportunity. I also thought your question at the end was really interesting, knowing José’s real-life outcome definitely changes how hopeful the story feels.
Hi Sofia, I totally agree with the sadness you felt all throughout the novel. I also felt this way – it felt like they were trying to dig themselves out of a bottomless pit. I also felt a bit of comfort in knowing that this novel exists because Zobel was able to find some success!