Discuss the role played by Mr. Morrison Essay

Mr. Morrison symbolises the strength of Afro-Americans in the face of adversity. He is a source of courage and protection for the Logan family, playacting almost as a guardian angel when papa is non home. There is an air of myth surrounding Mr. Morrison, created by factors such as his stature, his deep voice and scarred features. This makes him an interesting and thus successful region for Mildred Taylor. When the children first meet Mr. Morrison, his description relates directly to Mildred Taylors imagery. The attention that she pays to the implication of trees as an emblem of strength, influences her description of the advocatorful Mr.Morrison The man was a benevolent tree in height, towering high above papas six feet two inches. The long trunk of his massive body bulged with muscles The accompaniment strength and permanence of trees are a symbol of the strength which the shady community draws from its history, tradition and inheritance, and the roots which have been put d own in their land. Thus, the description of Mr. Morrison is in keeping with such imagery. The timing of Mr. Morrisons reaching assists Mildred Taylor in developing tension and suspense. He arrives on the scene in the wake of the news of the attack on The Berry Family.Mr. Morrison, we learn, was wrongly criminate of starting a fight down and then sacked from his job. This gives us an congressman of institutionalised racism and also hints that there may well be more incidents and fights. The children immediately warm to him and are deeply fascinated by his giant-like appearance. Mr. Morrisons attributes make him immune to the physical threats by which the local whites squeeze the black community. This gives the children courage and inspiration. As a result he is a figure who earns Staceys respect. Stacey becomes much closer to Mr.Morrison after he makes it vaporous that he will not be reporting the matter of the fight to with T. J to Staceys mother. Indeed, such is Mr. Morrisons positive influence, that Stacey shows increased maturity by telling his mother about the fight himself. On their behavior back from shopping in Vicksburg, Papa, Stacey and Mr. Morrison are ambushed by the Wallaces. Mr. Morrison shows his tremendous power by taking on three attackers and badly injuring two of them. In the following chapter he again demonstrates power and shrewd judgement too by lifting Kaleb Wallaces truck.This act is enough for him to avoid being haggard into fighting whilst still standing up for himself. By checking the truck for a gun first, Mr. Morrison shows an admirable measured determination not to be bullied. Furthermore, Mr. Morrison is a vital calming influence upon the headstrong Hammer when the childrens uncle is want to avenge Cassies humiliation in strawberry. The image of Mr. Morrison sit down watching on the porch for the nightmen is a very powerful one. To the Logans he is a guardian angel figure, who protects with great strength, yet is other wise the unblemished example of calm.In the stories he tells to the family we learn of an horrific past in which his family were murdered by racists. His scars symbolise the healing power and capacity to carry that are characterstic of the persecuted black people. His voice like the roll of low nip further emphasises Mr. Morrison as a key symbolic figure in the book, as this simile echoes the title. Show catch only The above preview is unformatted text This student written piece of work is one of many that can be found in our GCSE Mildred Taylor section.