Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward
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Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward
Jesmyn Ward's "Sing, Unburied, Sing" is a fictional novel that focuses on a family based on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi. It provides significant insights into the afterlife of slavery in the United States. Storytelling and songs play an important role in building resilience among communities. Additionally, the novel explores parenting and racial relations in American society.
Overall, the book captures the truths at the center of America's story and the family bond's power
and limitations. This paper provides a review of chapters 4 to 9 of the novel. Chapter 4
In chapter 4, Leonie narrates the two purposes of the trip. The first purpose was to transport drugs, a deal that would help them get a lot of money. Misty told Leonie that the trip would help them get the money that would allow him and Michael to get a place of their own. The second purpose of the trip was to pick Michael up from prison. Later in the journey, Leonie realizes that Kayla is unwell as she is coughing, crying, and vomiting (Ward, 187). Concerned
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about her health, Jojo holds her in his arms. However, this action makes Leonie feel resentful and guilty as it shows Jojo is like a parent to Kayla. Misty and Leonie lived almost similar lives. However, Leonie suffered a lot because he was not white like Misty. As a result, the relationship failed to blossom because of the comparative nature of their lived experiences. Leonie feels resentful and jealous of Misty, creating a sense of disconnection between them. Similarly, the motif of vomiting has been explored in this chapter. Kayla's illness was not expected and cannot be explained. Since whew a
younger than the other people, no one could ask her the cause of her illness. Leonie is completely
confused by Kayla's illness.
Chapter 5
In this chapter, Jojo realizes that Kayla is suffering from stomach aches and that she needs something to eat. Jojo decides to tell Kayla a story about a rabbit to make her improve her condition. He feels that Kayla is at her most self in her current situation. Shortly, they arrive at a house belonging to AI where they would spend their night. The adults drink wine and listen to music. After the adults leave for the back porch, Jojo forces Kayla to through up the tea made by Leonie. This chapter provides significant insights into Jojo's character. He seems to understand that Leonie is a dangerous person, even in moments of kindness.
Chapter 6
This chapter focuses immensely on Richie. When Richie died in the 1940s, he was given a choice to move on or stay. However, his spirit inhabited Parchman for about seven decades because he did not know how to move on. He knows that Jojo is River's child because of their close resemblance. Richie indicates that River was at ease with animals, even if there was a bad
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history between dogs and black people. The poor relationship between black people and dogs is connected to slavery. White people used dogs to torture black people during this time. Chapter 7
This chapter focuses on Leonie. The family has reunited and has returned to AI's house. Leonie takes Kayla's clothes off and gives her a bath. She asks Jojo not to leave the house until morning. Leonie and Michael have sex during the night. Given fails to give them space to have sex in the room, but they continue with their activity. Later, Given shakes his head and disappears from the room (Ward, 285). The relationship between Leonie and Michael isolates her from the rest of the world, including the children. She needed to stay away from her children to avoid causing harm to them. However, this isolation would also result in harm to her children. This legacy continues as police used dogs to mistreat slaves.
Chapter 8
This chapter begins with Jojo's perspective on the confrontation with the police officer. As the police officer approaches them, Richie Jojo, that she would be chained. However, the officer releases them, and they continue with their journey. After two hours of driving, Michael asks Jojo to buy some milk and charcoal, which he mixes and forces on Leonie's throat. Later, Leonie vomits, preventing her from overdosing on the drugs in her stomach. Vomiting in this chapter has been used to show that the only way people can be saved from horrific fate is by forcing them on a traumatic experience. Chapter 9
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This is a short chapter where Richie recalls the changes that Parchman had undergone in the past seven decades, including new technology, prisoners watching television, and the development of modern buildings. The author introduces a sunshine woman in this chapter, who gave Richie a story regarding the torture of a black couple by a White mob. As the chapter comes to an end, Richie engages in a conversation with a snake that asks him to follow Jojo to the River. He responds that he is going back home. The chapters suggest that Richie's idea of home is related to Pop. The sunshine women symbolize the dark history of Parchman linked to prostitution. In the slavery period, prison officials allowed black men to use prostitutes as it was believed it would enhance their productivity. Conclusion
In conclusion, Ward's "Sing, Unburied, Sing" is an interesting novel that provides insights into life during the colonial era. In chapters 4 to 9, the author provides a narrative that paints a picture of how black people have been racially discriminated against in society. It portrays black people as dangerous people, even to their relatives. These chapters also create a connection between violence and death and the challenges that people face in society. Additionally, the book suggests that black people have a bad history with animals, particularly dogs, due to their roles in their suffering at the hands of White people. Overall, these chapters paint a clear picture of America's dark history and the challenges that families face.
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Works Cited
Ward, Jesmyn.
Sing, unburied, sing: A novel
. Simon and Schuster, 2017.