A Harsh Environment

            As the book goes on, the narrator introduces us into a much more specific context in the book. No longer are we being presented with the society as a whole, but with the individual case of Mrs. Bains, which probably is an example to author wants to portray to exemplify the hardships many African Americans were experiencing. I found it very impressive to see the inhumanity and the cold blood with which Mr. Dead is forcing Mrs. Bains to pay the rent. This can be seen when Mr. Dead states, “Can they make it in the street, Mrs. Bains? That’s where they gonna be if you don’t figure out some way to get me my money” (p. 21). He does not even try to come up with an agreement or a solution to the problem; moreover, Mr. Dead presents a selfish and egocentric personality. However, we cannot forget that those times in the United States were not the most abundant in wealth of all. Many people were experiencing troubles with their finances and had to get money in any way they could. This could have been the case of Mr. Dead.

            This section of the book highlights the financial difficulties of African Americans at the time. For example, this is demonstrated when Mrs. Bains states, “A nigger in business is a terrible thing to see. A terrible, terrible thing to see” (p. 22). When doing business, sometimes people forget their ethical values and only focus on acquiring the greatest amount of wealth possible. In addition, this type of thinking happens much more often when people are seeking any wealth available in order to survive. There is no loyalty in business since in the end, an individual knows he is working only for himself and he knows that in hardships, it is his wealth that will sustain him, not the wealth of another individual.