The MSW Book Recommendation #45 ; Or 'Good Gawd, said little miss Molly...'

The Long Dream

By Richard Wright

f.p. 1958 ; 384 p.(Chatman repr., p.1969)

; Alternate/ Accomp.:

lawd today ! 

Unexpurgated edition (;Northeastern Un. Press 1991 ; 219 p.)

;...also by R.W. (f.p. on 1963, but, as said on books preword,

this 1991 edition '...differs in important ways from the version of the novel

established by Walker and Company in 1963.´

[Recommendation(s) III / 2015]

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”...  Fishbelly would count out the change and Miss Hanson would watch with horror-struck eyes.
'Lord, how can you do that?' Miss Hanson would whisper in terror.
'Why you so scared of money, Miss Hanson?', he would ask her.
'Because it's dirty!' Miss Hanson would cry. 'That money's been in the hand of every nigger in town! It's full of germs. Keep on handling that money, and you'll catch a disease.'
'You just think that'. Smiling, Fishbelly would give her the receipt.
Miss Hanson would trap the coins with her tweezers and drop them into the disinfectant. 'That's one thing I don't understand about people', Miss Hanson would wail. 'They bathe, brushe their teeth, wear nice clothes, want clean food, and then they touch money all day long, money that's been in the hands of even those nigger whores on Bowman street, with all their venereal diseases.
Think of it! Mr. Tucker, money carries germs! Doesn't your common sense tell you that?
'Guess so,' he would mumble, a trifle intimitated.
'Look at you, standing there smoking that cigarette. You're putting it in your mouth with the same fingers you used to give me my change. Why, you're eating germs, Mr. Tucker!'
'They ain't killed me yit,' he would say defensively.
'But they will, if you're not careful,' Miss Hanson would warn.

Funny woman, Fishbelly would tell himself as he went out. But, the moment he was upon the street he would nervously and unconsciously toss away hiss just-begun cigarette and then elaborately wipe his hands hard upon his handkerchief, murmuring: 'Gee, but it's hot today...'” 

;The Long Dream (;p. 194-5.)

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”... ´Woman, what makes you so dumb? Don't you never try using your brains sometimes? Don't you never think of nothing that's serious?'

'I don't know Jake.'

'How come you don't know?'

'I wasn't listening to your reading.'

'You could learn something if you didn't keep that empty head of yours stuck into them Gaddamn Unity books all the time.'

Lil' eyes widened.

'Jake, this is Gawds word!'

'Gawd's hooey! It's a gyp game, that's all!'

'You blaspheming Gawd!'

'So what?'

'Don't you know that Gawd can slap you dead right where you is?'

'Aw, woman, don't be dumb!' he said, glaring as though she had threatened him. 'This is the last time you're going to read that stuff in my house, get me? Don't send no more of my money off for that damn trash, you hear?'

Lil swallowed. Jake turned disdainfully to the paper.

HITLER CALLS ON WORLD TO SMASH JEWS

'Now, that's something for everybody to think about. It shows that people's waking up. That's what's wrong with this country, too many Jews, Dagos, Hunkies and Mexicans. We colored people would be much better off if they had kept them rascals out. Naw, the American white man went to sleep; he didn't have sense enough to let us black people have a break. He had to let them Jews and all in. Now they got the country sewed up; every store you see is run by Jew, and the foreigners. And they don't think about somebody but themselves. They ought to send 'em all back where they come from. That's what I say.'

Jake paused and drained his cup.

'You want some more coffee?'

'Yeah, fill it up.'

[…]

Jake turned the page.

COMMUNIST RIOT IN STREETS OF NEW YORK

'Gaddamn! Wonder how come the police let them guys go on like that? Now them goys, them Commoonists and Bolshehicks, is the craziest guys going! They don't know what they want. They done come 'way over here and wants to tell us how to run our country when their own country ain't run right. Can you beat that for the nerve of a brass monkey? I'm asking you? Why don't they stay in their own country if they don't like the good old USA? That's what I want to know! And they go around fooling folks, telling 'em they going to divide up everything. And some folks ain't got no better sense than to believe it, neither. Just weakminded, that's all! Now look here, if I got two suits and another guy ain't got none, they want to take one of mine and let him have it! A fool can see that that's wrong! And how are they going to do all this? With bombs and dynamite” What can be wrong with some folks' brains? I wonder! And over is Roosia where they in power folks is starving to death. And now they want to get us the same fix. What's wrong with folks when they act like that? If they get in power and tell you to do something and you don't do it, then they lines you up against a wall and shoots you down! That's no lie, I was reading it just the other day in the Tribune...'

'But Jake!'

'Hunh?'

'Folks is starving here, too.'

'Aw, you talk like a fool!'

'The papers said so.'

'Nobody but lazy folks can starve in this country!'

'But they can't get no work.'

'They don't want no work!'

'And they burned a colored man alive the other day.'

'Who?'

'The white people in this country.'

'Shut up” You don't know what you talking about”'

'Well, they did!'

'How you know?'

'It was in the papers.'

'Aw, that was down South, anyhow.'

'But the South's a part of this country.'

Jake stopped chewing and glared at her.

'Woman, is you a Red?'

Lil blinked. Jake turned back to the paper.”

; Lawd today! Unexpurgated edition (; p. 31-3.)

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”Behind the phenomenom of female parasitism has always lain another and yet larger social phenomenon; it has invariably been preceded, as we have seen, by the subjugation of large bodies of other human creatures, either as slaves, subject races, or classes; and as the result of the excessive labours of those classes there has always been an accumulation of unearned wealth in the hands of the dominant class or race. It has invariably been by feeding on this wealth, the result of forced or ill-paid labour, that the female of the dominant race or class has in the past lost her activity and has come to exists purely through the passive performance of her sexual functions. Without slaves or subject classes to perform the crude physical labours of life and produce superfluous wealth, the parasitism of the female would, in the past, have been an impossibility.” ; Olive Schreiner (1855 - 1920), on Woman and Labour (cite from essay's chpt II), fp. 1911.

; ...Depending of one's preferences, this alternate recommended novel (Lawd today!, by Richard Wright, 1908-1960) could've been presented as the main selection here. By many ways it's actually more descriptive concerning those times (Situated on the fictional present by the time it written, on 1930s. The Long Dream for the 1940's.) His other fictional writing, ie novels mainly, seem count around some 8 or ten whole-lentgh books, all in all. Only that I most recently read these few – so them felt like most proper recoms from this sitting.

; On the other hand, I've not any comprihensive familiarity on 'Unca Richard''s writings...Instead my few words (here presented), more informative (maybe) are those (relative) lenghty paragraphs quoted on begins. Also, I'm not offering too much my own views and if having a better knowing about backgrounds (etc.), you're of course free to form your own opinioning...

; About the details (Bio/etc...) insufficiently and shortly as possible...Seems it usually remarked Wright (of course, a leftist author) having at first advocated communist party (/participated actively, by activity, spoken and written word, ao). But later on - like many among his contemporaries, fx Sinclair and Orwell (G., 1903-50) along the others – having got disappointed for the idea. Probably, more presicely, it was due of some issues or controversies from, or a clash between his ideals about artistic freedom and the 'officielt doctrines' of the communist's literature policy (...During the 1940s/50s.) Perhaps an interesting p-o-w, that he later emigrated/had to relocate (during the 1950s) for the Paris. Also around that era had an argument w. (James) Baldwin (1924-87)[X1] concerning reliability of the some characters on his fiction (...Precisely that concerned the novel Native Son, p. 1940). ; ...All from that actually falls outside the scope of mys interests/observations. Many years ago, I recall from having read also Black Boy (p. 1945, a novel?) – said for mainly an autobiographical story, based to his youthful years. But read about all that elsewhere. On this, I've only placed attention for his very first novel (...unpublished on the 1930s, it appeared only posthumously), and, for his very last one.

; Actually, at this case, more interesting than my random thoughts and impressions is the manner how I actually happened from first read Richard Wright (at all). Namely, it wasn't from any recommendation by a friend, neither via his general fame. Neither was that via any school classes or other educative 'intellectuelt' source. No, actually I did select his novel purely randomly (...Of course, it was that Native Son, at the 1950s a 'scandalous book' which around the time seems been categorized unproper enough to been included on some banned book lists, delivered on several public libraries around Americas, probably also was kept oout from several sale-shops, ...etc. or smgth like.). ; But, just like that, while glancing around in the library, and quite inconspiciously, I happened to pick the said particular book for my read during my youth (long time ago). ...Not anymanner particularly attention-catching book tied to the gray cloth. And I recall it hadn't any backcover texts or similar either. So that what I meant by an accidental choice.

I also remember that around the time, my english wasn't too good, so it took me quite some time reading it. (And, I guess) the experience then inspired me afterwards paging through also The Outsider (1953) and his autobiographical book, Black Boy (already mentioned).

; ...And now these selected novels. All this is only important, due because from (a view-point) that wasn't it from that purely random selection, perhaps, I might've probably never even having read this afroamerican author. ; Further yet - sounds of course very accidental and insignificant, and there's of course numerous appreciated writers I've never ever heard from, even less read – I think, it must've been from some particular reason. ...Actually, by now it feels like almost like been of some guidance. - If you understand the particulars I mean: Some people call it for the premonition. Some prefer the term sixth sense. Though, nothing extrahuman on it, nothing larger than life either. Just...some good vibes, if one thinks that better expression. (If being supersitious, I'd probably state the book must've haunted me from those library shelves, but naturally it would be much an exaggeration...)

; But, maybe, what I mean by this, is that Richard Wright – it sounds very commonplace; smght like...David Stevens, Elisabeth Duncan, or Mary Stewart, fx. Not anything like, say, Isaih Berlin or Moses Malone, fx. (...Or, by the way, not like any Hillbunster Shockbuckster...) So, maybe it actually could been that it was my own subconscious conceptions which were haunting there. But; Richard Wright, that sounds far more like the not fill-in-forms, shareable food coupon signatures, or alternatively, say, for the horse-race gambling participant lists. Not for any real author-name. (…Nowadays, having read my Humboldt's, I am of course somewhat better aware about this (aspect) and I understand that maybe that not an actual name at all. Maybe should've/could've been fx smght like Obea- kanah-ke-wah-kenah-wah-keh. Or smgth...goes to as good guess as any other. )

...Anyhow, I only think it a pity him still remained quite little a read author. (But around the time, 1950s or about so, became generally quite acknowledged a writer.) Certainly far more readable in comparisons to a bunch of other authors who nowadays are, probably, better renown and lot more read (Or, at least so I'd suppose...not made any polls and stats about that). ; But, in short, if you want fx to know about 'modern' America at the 1930-50s - ie prior that 'great divide', the 1960s and the emergence of popular cultures, the 'break-through' of the more liberal views on life and attitudes for it (/end of the openly accepted apartheidist attitudes/discriminating 'moralities'), among other things related, etc., ... – I think it's quite recommendable reading Richard Wright. Far more useful than reading fx the Hemingway...Certainly. (Hemingway having his own uses, of course.) I only mean that nowadays all we read and view of the years/decades prior the World wars very much consisting of an artistically and/or nostalgically reworked material – and often that (as interpretation) gives impression from even less a realism than what shown on the old soaps, or melodrama.

; ...Seems it then also (at the foreword for Lawd today! by Arnold Rampersad), written that Wright's early book has some 'sense of kinship' w. the other major american early 1900s realists - The mentioned examples/presented comparison contain Stephen Crane's Maggie: A girl of the Streets and Frank Norris's McTeague. ; As well James Farrell, Theodore Dreiser and John Dos Passos mentioned (...ao). ; And as well, Rampersad, seems fx mention that the working-title to said book originally was 'Cesspool'. Also it having relied lot for author's own experience. Manuscript was at the time offered for several publishers (...around eight publishing houses, if I happen recall that correctly...) during the late from 1930s. But; ”...novel made the rounds of the major commercial publishers without success or encouragement, until at last it disappeared into Wright's files not to surface publicly until after his death.” Obviously, the actual reason for turndowns, was the stark realism ('naturalistic' manner) from the racial and sexual issues depicted on novel. ...Indeed, but unlike sometimes offered categorization I don't consider Wright by style from his writing had much any resemblance for Zola (Emile, 1840-1902), or naturalism itself. (I think his style too modern to that comparison.)

; ...The selected novel The Long Dream could, possibly, be described as a book combining most central themes of Wright's writing (both on the individuelt, psychological and social levels) - So it made the main recom here. Due from that same reason, those somewhat plentysome quotes of Lawd today ! at begins of this chpt. (...Also, despite it survived basically 'only' in form of a manuscript, latter mentioned book appears a bit more compact a story, also perhaps is more uniform.) ; ...Actually meant to say more on The Long Dream at this - After all, was his last novel, so could perhaps safely be assumed for Wright's most cafefully prepared work. (Even seems aimed some continuation to it, also was planned for a stage play at the time.) ; But shall it now suffice that notice from had found the book's plot-turns (but not it's characters) occasionally perhaps bit unlikely, not so drawn from 'real-life'. Or about that way... ; The above quoted parts from one of the books most convincing chapters. It's from a place that makes - intentionally or untintentionally - rather surprising intermission for the actual story told. Incident tells about that Fishbelly, novel's black 'anti-hero', collecting rents from those obscure and peculiar residents of his father's maintained housings. At the poorest corners, or slums. It also leaves an impression from that (possibly) might've been drawn on basis of some actual incidents/experiences. 
 

; However, (and like noted priorly), my familiarity to this solely based for reading some from Wright's novels (or, Obea- kanah-ke-wah-kenah-wah-keh's, as named acc. my 'guess-work'). And even less I'm familiar to his contemporary writers. ; Actually in comparison for better 'renown' american realists – Faulkner, Steinbeck, Sinclair – all those feel lot more traditional from form, even Faulkner. (As the other main difference those, except Sinclair, are best known from had depicted the rural life. But Wright's books from city-life.). Also, while all the said generally wrote (somewhat plenty) about the poor/the discriminated, and occasionally, happen provide equally 'gloomy depictions' (...generally the prevailing 'atmosphere', at least on the novel Lawd today ! is quite desperate), Wright appears yet quite different author if compared to those. Of course, was from of a bit younger generation too...But at least seems also had a slight better sense from women too (on his fiction, of course) in comparison for most from those 'canonized', or officially accepted 'white' realists of the 1930s – even though, not on his fiction either not any exceptionally succesfull/striking-realistic 'female-portraits'.

; ...But good gawd, wasn't meant (/any my purpose) at this from refer by any words to wimmen, or for a feminine fiction already quite much here discussed...But read carefully also above that quote on parasitism too (Schreiner), offers some a good viewpoint(s) on this too. (...I mean, historically it's quite an interesting an essay, while of course not nearly is of the same period than these novels above discussed.) (;W-G. :)

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Note:
[X1];  added 01.07/2015;

 ...To 'civilize' myself on these aspects, a bit further, I then also read Baldwin's novel  Another Country (-68), and, then also glanced here and there of his collected essays (...publ. 98, ...ie almost exactly thirty years later, w. an imaginous name Collected essays. The library copy I loaned looked almost as fresh and unworn as the new book. ...I suppose Baldwin would've considered that quite proper, book tied w. bible-thin sheets, etc., soforth... But, apparently, I was the very 1st or 2nd loaner for that particular copy, and perhaps he then wouldn't appreciated the relative slight interest for his writings on these northern corners, this seemed to tell from...) ; Of some part them (essays) felt quite much tied on their times of appearance - but on the other hand, while writing sometimes pages lenghty paragraphs, he seems also possessed capability to state things w. very direct and frank sentences (...not exactly like my expressions here, that aren't (always) so coherent from grammar or everything else...perhaps, :) -  ...But, for some examples, there written fx: 'The american ideal, after all, is that everyone should be as much alike as possible.' [on 'The Harlem ghetto'], or, ...fx on another place ['Everybody's protest novel']:  '... The aim has now become to reduce all Americans to the compulsive, bloodless dimensions of a guy named Joe.' Exactly. (...But, of course, picked that latter said - of that about 1940s appeared text - only from due that it felt, somehow, so familiar.  ; I mean, w. all our words here written against the McDonaldsation of the world, the disappearance of 'natures gifts' to under that ever-advanced artificialisation (of life) and from that view-point that I really don't (at all) appreciate the over-sized Wal-marts and hamburgers, and neither the clean and sterile consuming-environments - our 'outside living-rooms' on these over-expanded, 'monstrous consumerist' times of our own - So that felt (to me) somehow very actuelt, even that the said essay(s) not anyhow, or directly discusses the consumerism...but merely are from other issues.) ;...However, think about those aspects by yourself, I only related this much on the essays as I discovered Baldwin to a well readable author too. (...And, at least had the chance of grasping a few thoughts 'immortalized' on them of his writing, from those very plentysome pages, tied on on those bible-thin sheets, and, of course this neither meant not to any comprihensive reading from or about that...) 

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