Captain Blackman: Analysis of Major Characters
"Captain Blackman: Analysis of Major Characters" delves into the complex landscape of military service during the Vietnam War, particularly through the lens of race. The central figure, Captain Abraham Blackman, is a powerful black soldier who confronts the historical exploitation of African American soldiers. He conducts seminars on black military history for his diverse command, fostering unity among his predominantly black and Puerto Rican troops. Throughout the narrative, Blackman experiences vivid dream sequences that transport him through various historical conflicts, where he contemplates the injustices faced by black soldiers.
Key characters include Mimosa Rogers, Blackman’s devoted girlfriend, who supports his ambitions and appears in his dreams, often amid intense sexual encounters. Ishmael Whittman serves as Blackman's antagonist, a white officer who symbolizes racial superiority despite his ineffectiveness as a leader. Other notable figures include Robert Doctorow, a white soldier from a Jewish background who seeks to bridge racial divides, and Luther Woodcock, a medic who embodies a proud new black identity. The narrative also features David Harrison, a proud sergeant who tragically falls victim to racial violence, and Belmont, whose family history reflects the continued struggle for recognition and respect. Collectively, these characters navigate themes of identity, power, and the quest for justice within a racially charged military environment.
Captain Blackman: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: John A. Williams
First published: 1972
Genre: Novel
Locale: Every theater of important American military action
Plot: Historical realism
Time: c. 1971, with dream sequences ranging from 1775 to 2001
Captain Abraham Blackman, a powerful black man, about forty years old. He is a career soldier who is highly sensitive to the exploitation of black soldiers throughout America's history. He teaches a seminar on black military history to the men in his command (C Company) in Vietnam, a command predominantly composed of African Americans, Puerto Ricans, and “crackers,” the detritus of the white world. He is very effective in uniting the allegiances of his men, particularly the black men, who do not seem fully aware of the injustices visited upon them during their tours of duty. While leading a patrol, an activity unusual for one of such high rank, Blackman draws enemy fire to protect the men in his squad and is severely wounded. He enters a dream state and relives a part of each conflict in which the United States has taken part, beginning with the Revolutionary War. Blackman gradually works his way up in rank through his imaginary experiences, beginning as a raw foot soldier in 1775 and finally appearing as a lieutenant in World War II; at the time he is wounded, he is in reality a captain but is promoted to major while he recuperates. Many of his current associates appear in these illusions, playing roles that correspond to their situations in his life. He also encounters historical figures and locations that probably played an important part in his history lessons. Blackman is not aware of his displacement in time during these illusions. He is highly cognizant of the inequities visited on the black soldiers by the whites and of their methods of maintaining control. These visions leads him to devise a comprehensive plan for a black coalition to conquer the white-dominated nation. In the dream at the close of the novel, the scope of his ideas apparently takes the complacent whites totally by surprise, and his plan succeeds.
Mimosa Rogers, Blackman's girlfriend, a member of the U.S. Foreign Service, probably in her late twenties. His female counterpart, she is tall, very attractive, highly intelligent, and devoted to helping Blackman achieve his goals, which she shares. After he is wounded, she is fiercely protective of him. She appears in many of the historical time frames during Blackman's dream; nearly every encounter is marked by an intense sexual experience.
Ishmael Whittman, Blackman's principal antagonist, a blond, blue-eyed representative of the inferior white person who holds a superior position only by virtue of race. He out-ranks Blackman despite the fact that Blackman is the better soldier, and both are aware of the relationship. He encounters Blackman several times during their real military careers. Whittman is extremely pleased to hear of Blackman's serious wounds and waits with hope for news of his death. Whittman appears in most of the dream sequences, always as an officer of superior rank to Blackman and as an ineffective leader. His fear of the black man who is more intelligent, braver, and of stronger character is expressed through a desire to eradicate or, failing that, to subjugate that which he fears. Although in the final dream segment Whittman has attained the rank of general, Blackman, through his superior intelligence and ability, is able to defeat Whittman and everything for which he stands.
Robert Doctorow, a white member of Blackman's command. Sensitive to bigotry because of his Jewish heritage, Doctorow joins the black military history seminars, in spite of opposition from the black grunts, at least for long enough to prove that he will not be intimidated by them. An aspiring writer, he keeps a notebook of his experiences as preparation for the book he intends to write. He is committed to influencing social change, a desire exemplified by his role of idealistic volunteer in the Spanish Civil War sequence of Blackman's dream. He is injured slightly in the rocket attack that kills Harrison and Belmont.
Luther Woodcock, a soldier in Blackman's command, white in appearance (except for his enormous “Afro” haircut) but black by heritage. He is a personification of the new black attitude that emerged in the late 1960's and early 1970's. Rather than trying to blend into the white world, Woodcock flaunts his black roots proudly. Woodcock, a medic, administers first aid to Blackman when he is wounded. He appears in the World War I sequence as one of the few black officers and as a friend to Blackman. In the final dream, he is instrumental in the defeat of the whites. He is wounded slightly in the rocket attack on the base.
David Harrison (Little David), a black sergeant in Blackman's Vietnam squad. He is a small man physically, but he is of imposing character and refuses to bend to the idea of white supremacy. This pride leads to his death at the hands of white soldiers in the U.S. Cavalry segment of Blackman's dream. He appears as a dependable close friend in the U.S. Cavalry and Civil War sequences. Harrison is killed in a rocket attack after Blackman's patrol returns to its base on the hostile perimeter and Blackman is placed in a helicopter for transport to a hospital.
Belmont, the black radioman in Blackman's company. His grandfather was a much-decorated flying ace in World War I, highly respected in France but reduced to a lackey's status upon his return to the United States because of his color. Paul Belmont, the grandfather, is mentioned in the World War I dream. Belmont is killed in the rocket attack on the base.
Johnny Griot, a black soldier of C Company who appears in the War of 1812 sequence. He inspires Blackman to repel a group of drunken whites who try to abuse the sleeping black soldiers in this segment of the dream.
Antoine (Black Antoine), another black soldier in C Company who appears in the War of 1812 sequence. As a result of their actions in this conflict, the black soldiers are granted a section of land, although the government refuses to grant freedom.