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]
------------------------
”... 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.)
------------------------
”...
´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.)
------------------------
”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. :)
----------
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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![[Fig 2.; p.9]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsCfSH7164PD5KvWgwkBKENMVO1Mo63i4knFFkOK4OeQMeU6eNM382G6SLJn1ZJHQMOtAFZj7qeGAZae55ir9JOMUUZD9KwTbl38AGpKntRNZY9isTfOZyfqaBXidaL1E8b73-vusuNcA/s1600/wegfkafoocao.jpg)
; Has to be said that, as usual here, we're likely devote our main attention on the subsequent posts for quite various topic. Yet, I suppose, main part from them would be on the books, plants (/herbs, trees) - and, what happens then from feel like suitable. ...Seems that our 'Unca Don'-series closing to it's end, and probably the plants-posts also on some sort pause - temporarily at least - leaves us to wonder what else we'd concentrate our attention on. But, resultatively, decided that at least on some of followed sequels their main focus would be on - the Love.
