The Taking of Miss Janie: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Taking of Miss Janie" explores a diverse cast of characters, primarily students navigating the complex social landscape of race and relationships in a university setting during the 1960s. Monty, a confident black poet, embodies a cynical outlook towards political movements, attracting those around him, especially women. In contrast, Janie, a sheltered white student, naïvely believes in goodwill as a solution to social issues, demonstrating a disconnect from the realities of racism. Rick, another black student, passionately searches for a movement to believe in, illustrating the transitional nature of personal ideologies among young activists. Len, with a keen political awareness, acknowledges the multifaceted nature of social problems beyond race. The female characters, such as Peggy and Flossie, grapple with their personal quests for love, often turning to women for fulfillment after unsuccessful relationships with men. Sharon stands out as a strong advocate for understanding in interracial relationships, while Lonnie represents a conflicted identity, attempting to align with black culture while maintaining a belief in his own superiority. Mort rounds out the group as a disgruntled figure, feeling unrecognized for his past contributions. Together, these characters reflect a rich tapestry of perspectives on identity, race, and the search for meaning in a turbulent era.
The Taking of Miss Janie: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Ed Bullins
First published: 1981
Genre: Play
Locale: Primarily California
Plot: Social criticism
Time: The 1960's
Monty, a black student in his early twenties attending a West Coast university. He is a poet and the center of a group of campus intellectuals and artists. He is not, however, committed to any system of ideas or movement. Confidence is Monty's most pronounced personality trait and the quality that draws others, particularly women, to him. He is cynical about political strategies and the people who mouth them.
Janie, a white student in her early twenties. Reared by middle-class parents, she has been protected from the harsh realities of American racism and its effects on people and relationships; she is naïve. Janie is attracted to underdogs and believes that all social problems can be solved with goodwill and open dialogue.
Rick, a black man in his early twenties. Rick is in search of a philosophy and a movement in which he can believe. He is passionate in his beliefs, but it is clear that time will present him with other philosophies that he will also embrace.
Len, a roommate of Rick and Monty. He is described by the playwright as intellectual, artistic, and political aware. For Len, race is one of the problems of the 1960's, but it is not the only one.
Sharon, a young white woman who marries Len. She clearly understands the problems in interracialism and is strong enough to fight them.
Peggy, a young black woman who needs and searches for love. She, like the others, has failed in her quest. Her marriage to Monty caused her to drop out of college to put him through school; the failure of that marriage led to a second unsuccessful marriage. Convinced that she cannot find fulfillment in men, she seeks satisfaction in women.
Flossie, a woman who, like Peggy, looked for love but quickly accepted that it was not to be found in black men. Tired of being the third party in a love triangle, she, too, turns to other women.
Lonnie, a white man caught midstream between who he is and who he wants to be. He seeks association with black people and imitates their speech and behavior, but he believes in his own racial superiority.
Mort, a leftover hippie struggling to find a niche. He is an angry man who believes that African Americans and members of other minority groups have failed to acknowledge their debt to him and his kind.