Wednesday, February 4, 2009

William Alexander Percy and Lanterns on the Levee

Please post your discussion questions for the first part of Lanterns on the Levee below.

4 comments:

  1. William Alexander Percy begins his discussion of Southern politics when describing his father's difficulties in the Senate race. How is Percy's view of honor in politics and white society different from that of the white supremacists' and others' who may have been in favor the theory of the "Lost Cause?"

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  2. Throughout this text, Percy often reinforces many ideas of the "New South". What are some of the comparisons and/or differences of Percy's views with Grady, Washington and others. How does Percy himself not completely match the social order promoted by certain aspects of the "New South"?

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  3. At the end of chapter two, Percy wraps up his description and categorization of “Delta folks” by stating, “If we become too prosperous and entertain the impression we are independent and frightfully efficient…, the levee breaks and the wise river terrifies his silly children back into humility and that cozy one-family feeling of the inmates of the Ark”. Why does Percy choose this reference, and in your own opinion, what is Percy trying to explain in this passage?

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  4. At the end of chapter 18 a klansmen asks Percy why he has never forgiven him to which Percy replies "Forgivness is easy. I really like you. The trouble is I've got your number and people's numbers dont change." How is this relevant to what Percy thinks the problem is with race relations in the South and how to change them

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