River of Earth: Analysis of Major Characters
"River of Earth: Analysis of Major Characters" delves into the complex lives and relationships of a poverty-stricken family in the Kentucky mountains, as seen through the eyes of a young narrator. The main character, Brack Baldridge, grapples with the harsh realities of life, constantly battling poverty while trying to provide for his family. His wife, Alpha, displays desperation and resilience, even resorting to drastic measures to protect their meager resources from opportunistic relatives. The narrative introduces a range of characters, including Grandmother Middleton, who plays a significant role in the boy’s upbringing until her death, and Uncle Jolly, whose troubled history and acts of defiance highlight themes of family loyalty and personal struggle. The story also touches on the broader social issues faced by the community, such as unemployment and violence, illustrated through events like the schoolmaster’s tragic fate and the challenges faced by the Baldridges' relatives. Overall, this analysis offers insights into the dynamic interplay of familial bonds, societal pressures, and the enduring spirit of those living on the margins. Readers interested in themes of resilience, community, and the impact of poverty on family life may find this exploration particularly compelling.
River of Earth: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: James Still
First published: 1940
Genre: Novel
Locale: Kentucky
Plot: Regional
Time: Early 1930's
Brack's Oldest Boy, the narrator. The events in this story of poverty-ridden Kentucky mountaineers are seen through the eyes of this young boy, who is observant but too young to comprehend some of what he observes.
Brack Baldridge, his father. Poverty and depression are not Brack's only enemies in his struggle to keep his family from starving. He is too humane to deny food to miners out of work and begging for their families, or to send sponging relatives away.
Alpha Baldridge, Brack's wife. In desperation, she moves her furniture and children to the smokehouse and sets fire to the house, so that the sponging relatives, having no place to sleep, will then leave her family in possession of their meager supply of food.
Grandmother Middleton, Alpha's brisk mother, who lives on a small farm. The boy is sent to help her with her harvesting and ends by staying more than a year. When she dies, her body is taken to the boy's home in Blackjack prior to burial. As the wagon takes her body away for the last time, the boy hears the first cry of his mother's new baby.
Uncle Jolly, Alpha's brother, who spends much of his time in jail. Once he is pardoned by the governor for his bravery in helping fight a prison fire, which he admits to his mother he started.
Uncle Samp, who never worked and does not intend to start. Evicted once from the Baldridge home by Alpha's fire, he shows up later at their coal camp house. He finally marries a fortune-teller.
Euly Baldridge, the sister of the narrator. Wanting to be educated, the children go to school until the schoolmaster is shot by an angry mountaineer whose loutish son had been punished by the teacher.
Harl Logan and Tibb Logan, cousins also evicted by Alpha's fire. They return to work in the mine and live with the Baldridges. Laid off, they dynamite one of the veins and, having been kicked out by the mine boss, leave the Baldridge home.
Uncle Luce, who is supposed to replace the boy as Grandmother Middleton's helper on the farm; however, he arrives after the harvest.
Uncle Toll, who fetches the boy from his grandmother and leaves him to sleep outside Jolly's jail cell so that lack of companionship will not drive Jolly to break out. Knowing that a jailbreak will get him a long prison term, Jolly puts temptation out of reach by stealing the keys and sending the boy home with them to his family.
Grandpa Middleton, who was killed some time before the time of the story by Aus Coggins; no Baldridge has avenged the death. The narrator has a fistfight with a neighbor boy who says the Baldridges are cowards.
Aus Coggins, who is tormented by Uncle Jolly, who cuts Coggins'fences and breaks his dam. It is said that Uncle Jolly is avenging his father's death.