One Way to Heaven: Analysis of Major Characters
"One Way to Heaven: Analysis of Major Characters" explores the intricacies of relationships and the complexities of human behavior through its vivid characters. Central to the narrative are Sam Lucas, a charming yet deceptive confidence man, and Mattie Johnson, an earnest and devoted woman who falls for him. Their tumultuous marriage reflects themes of faith and disillusionment as Mattie's commitment to the church contrasts sharply with Sam's manipulative tendencies. Other key figures include Constancia Brandon, a socialite who brings together diverse circles in Harlem, and Aunt Mandy, who seeks to mediate between Sam and Mattie's struggles. The story also features Reverend Clarence Johnson, who recognizes Sam's insincerity yet sees potential in his false conversion for inspiring others. This character ensemble highlights cultural dynamics and moral dilemmas, inviting readers to consider the interplay between genuine faith and the façades people maintain. Through its character-driven narrative, the work prompts reflection on themes of love, betrayal, and redemption within a historical context.
One Way to Heaven: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Countée Cullen
First published: 1932
Genre: Novel
Locale: New York City's Harlem
Plot: Social realism
Time: The 1920's
Sam Lucas, a handsome, one-armed confidence man. Sam's usual con is to repent his gambling ways at revival meetings, then support himself for a while on the church community's generosity toward him as a reformed sinner. When he arrives in Harlem, Mattie Johnson, an attractive young black woman, is swept away in her enthusiasm at his example, and she joins the church and falls in love with him. They marry, and Sam moves in with her and her Aunt Mandy, but the marriage begins to dissolve as Sam stops going to church and Mattie devotes increasing energy to it. Eventually, Sam moves in with Emma May, an usher at the theater where Sam takes tickets, but he moves back with Mattie when he becomes sick. On his deathbed, Sam lies, telling Mattie that he hears music and sees a bright light, so that she will believe that his soul has been saved.
Mattie Johnson, Constancia Brandon's maid, a good-hearted and pretty woman. After falling in love with Sam at a New Year's Eve church meeting, Mattie never considers the possibility that his conversion was an act. They are married at her employer's house. After the marriage begins to fail, she tricks Sam into going to church with her again, where she prays aloud for Christ to take her husband back into His fold. Sam stalks out and leaves her for his mistress, Emma May, but the forgiving Mattie takes him back when Emma comes to tell her that he is sick. When Sam tells Mattie that he hears music and sees a light, she believes that his soul has been saved.
Constancia Brandon, Mattie's employer, a center of Harlem society, always lively and at times outrageous. When Constancia hears that her maid is getting married, she immediately makes plans to host the wedding, inviting her black friends (after Mattie asked her not to invite anyone white) to the wedding. Constancia is the center of a mostly black, artistic, and wealthy circle. Among the more outrageous things Constancia does is to invite Professor Seth Calhoun, a white supremacist, to give a talk at one of her parties.
Aunt Mandy, Mattie's aunt, a longtime member of the church and, for a while, Sam's cardplaying partner. Aunt Mandy acts as an intermediary between Sam and Mattie, first urging him to get a job and later urging Mattie to be more understanding.
The Reverend Clarence Johnson, an evangelist from the South. As the guest preacher the night Sam and Mattie convert, he recognizes Sam as a con man but believes that his false conversion serves as an inspiration to other people.
The Reverend Drummond, the pastor of the Mt. Hebron Episcopal Church, the church that Mattie and Sam join. He successfully plays peacemaker between Mattie and Sam one time when he comes by for dinner and finds them in the middle of a fight.
Mary Johnson, the duchess of Uganda and a friend of Constancia. She is a woman of much pretension and a part of the Back to Africa movement; her title was granted by the movement.
Donald Hewitt, a wealthy young Englishman, a writer who wants specifically to write about Harlem. He is enchanted by Constancia and becomes a member of her circle.
Miss McGoffin, an Irish American missionary to Africa, trying to fit into Constancia's circle. She shows her ignorance when she asks Constancia if “you people” are writing any more spirituals, which she could take back to Africa to show that civilization has not destroyed black Americans'“creative instinct.”
Mrs. De Peyster Johnson, a teacher in a public school. Proud of an ancestry that she can trace back to the first slaves who were brought to America, Mrs. De Peyster Johnson, a friend of Constancia, makes a point of teaching the classics of black American literature in her classes.
George Brandon, Constancia's husband, a wealthy doctor. He delighted her when they first met by dubbing her “Mrs. Shakespeare” because of her flamboyant and elegant style of speech.