Good-bye, My Lady by James Howell Street
"Good-bye, My Lady" by James Howell Street is a coming-of-age story centered on a young boy named Claude, affectionately known as Skeeter, who for the first time experiences the responsibilities and emotional complexities of ownership through his relationship with a unique dog named Lady. Their initial encounter unfolds in the Mississippi swamp, where Skeeter, alongside his uncle Jesse, discovers Lady, a rare African basenji breed. As Skeeter trains Lady to be a hunting companion, he forms a deep emotional bond with her, leading him to confront themes of attachment, loss, and personal growth.
The story explores Skeeter's internal conflict when he learns about Lady's true value and the possibility of her being taken away from him. Ultimately, Skeeter's journey is marked by his decision to return Lady to her rightful owner, a choice that reflects his maturation and understanding of love and sacrifice. While Street's work is set against the backdrop of the Southern landscape and culture, its universal themes of childhood, responsibility, and the bittersweet nature of growing up resonate with readers of all ages. Although not categorized as a literary masterpiece, "Good-bye, My Lady" captivates audiences through its relatable characters and compelling storytelling.
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Good-bye, My Lady by James Howell Street
First published: 1954
Type of work: Adventure tale
Themes: Animals, coming-of-age, emotions, and family
Time of work: The early twentieth century
Recommended Ages: 10-13
Locale: The southern part of Mississippi, along the Pascagoula River
Principal Characters:
Claude (Skeeter) , a healthy lad of fourteen who lives along the swamp with his uncleJesse Jackson , his uncle, unschooled yet wise and sensitiveMr. Alpheus Evans (Mister Cash) , the crossroads storekeeper who befriends the boy and his uncle
The Story
With a dog to care for and train, for the first time in his life Claude (Skeeter) owns something—but little does he know how much. Lady, as he names her, not only alleviates his loneliness but also creates the dilemma out of which he matures. The two meet for the first time when, listening and watching intently, Skeeter and his uncle, Jesse Jackson, wait to see what makes the strange laughing sound that silences all the nocturnal swamp creatures. They crawl behind a log and wait until an animal appears, makes its eerie laugh, and begins to lick itself. Bewildered by the unnaturalness of what appears to be a dog, Uncle Jesse decides to consult Mr. Alpheus Evans (Mister Cash), who Skeeter fears will use his dogs to hunt and kill it. Uncle Jesse reassures Skeeter that no harm will come to the animal unless it jumps them, and the hunt proceeds. Mister Cash’s dogs, much to Skeeter’s delight, prove unequal to the basenji, a rare African breed, and the dog outmatches them and the hunters. In time, the dog comes to Skeeter.
Skeeter loses no time in training Lady to point. Although Uncle Jesse sees no hope for Lady as a bird dog, Skeeter persists and succeeds. Skeeter’s training and Lady’s own ability to catch a scent from farther away than sixty yards enable them to outhunt Mister Cash’s dogs, causing a definite affront to his pride.
Skeeter’s emotional attachment to Lady further heightens his fear of losing her, and in his anxiety he declares that no one will take her away. Lady’s unnatural behavior and hunting ability eventually create interest in the community, and people begin to talk. A salesperson at Mister Cash’s store overhears them and returns with a magazine clipping advertising for a dog fitting Lady’s description. Knowing of Skeeter’s love for Lady, Mister Cash privately makes Uncle Jesse aware of her value. Consequently, Uncle Jesse tells the boy but allows him to make his own decision about returning her. Skeeter wrestles with his conscience and weeps in misery; however, he finally decides to return Lady as he realizes she could never be fully his.
The day of Lady’s departure finally arrives. Walden Grover, who represents the Old Brook Kennels in Connecticut, comes to Uncle Jesse’s cabin to claim the dog. He surveys Uncle Jesse and the cabin, anticipates resistance, but figures if he works it right, he can successfully claim the dog and also save half the reward money for the kennel. Disarmed by Uncle Jesse’s humility and his genuine love for Skeeter, Grover takes his suggestion to meet him, Skeeter, and Lady at Mister Cash’s store to avoid coming upon the boy and informing him abruptly. Uncle Jesse informs Skeeter that Grover awaits them, and together with Lady they leave for Mister Cash’s store. Skeeter returns Lady to Grover, who places the full reward in Skeeter’s hand. Lady’s faithfulness to Skeeter, however, disallows her following Grover alone, and Skeeter must lead her away.
Context
James Street, who began his writing career in journalism, has published articles, short stories, and novels. Good-bye, My Lady, though not originally intended for children, nevertheless has enormous appeal to young readers. Expanded from “Weep No More, My Lady,” a short story from a collection of stories all concerning boys growing up in the South, the novel presents the nostalgia of youth with only minor touches of sentimentality. Oh, Promised Land (1940), In My Father’s House (1941), and By Valor and Arms (1944), among other works by Street, have Southern settings, often Mississippi.
Although Street’s work does not rank among the literarily significant, his ability to tell a compelling story has created a popular audience. His popularity stems from his creation of realistic characters facing plausible problems in a real world—all depicted in an exciting way. Having these qualities, Good-bye, My Lady shows how the love and understanding of an old man enable a young boy to grow into manhood. The story sustains an exploration of human nature, thereby surpassing the regional impressions of the Mississippi swamp. Furthermore, Street’s attention to characterization and realistic dialogue, plot development, and his use of symbols to enhance the meaning of his novel places Good-bye, My Lady among the important novels about growing up.