Student Text 1997: Jubilee

One word cannot describe this book. Margaret Walker captured the essence of one woman's struggle that represented so many during a period when freedom was an elusive dream. It would take a war and many deaths before African Americans became liberated, only to realize later that the chains of oppression were still evident just manifested in other ways. In JUBILEE, Vyry is born into slavery as a result of a relationship between her mother, Hetta, and the white plantation owner, "Marster Dutton." After Hetta's death, Vyry would be placed in the mansion as a servant to the owners and their children. Her mulatto coloring would elevate her above the station of a regular field hand and qualify her to work in the "Big House." While in the "Big House," Vyry would be subjected to almost daily abuse from the "Big Missy." Sometimes her only peace of mind would come from some of the older slave women who worked in the house. But when they all finally died, leaving her all alone, Vyry starts directing her own life and dreams, even daring to find love with a free black man.Margaret Walker's JUBILEE is one of the best book written on witnessing the brutalities, triumphs and struggles of African Americans before, during and after the Civil War. In a true account from her ancestors, Walker has written a riveting tale of life as a slave. Her main character, the focal point of the book, is one that left this reader in tears from the hatred she received, but spellbound at the compassion she showed to her abusers. I was captivated by the love she showed for her husband and the stamina she possessed to keep the family and the dream alive. This novel is a fine testament to the life that our forefathers suffered in the pursuit of freedom and should be required reading for all African Americans. Reviewed by Brenda M. Lisbonof The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

I must admit that originally I chose this book because it was the only book on the reading list that I could find at the time. While I read, I came to appreciate the book for its deeper meanings and the lingering images of slave life found in the novel. This narrative tells the true story of the black slaves before, during, and after the Civil War; and the struggles they had to overcome. This novel details the human triumph over the despairs of slavery and dispels the stereotype of the black slave. This in depth story proves the ability of the slaves to have a full range of emotions, not just hatred. For Vyry, the creation of new life offers her salvation. She is blessed with children, and when she comes to a new town she is offered a home because of her skills as a midwife. While white skin is seen as a symbol of civilization, to Vyry it is only a point of further pain under the hand of Big Missy (Salina) who sees it as her duty to put Vyry in her place. In each new home, Vyry feels a sense of renewed hope offered to her by the color of her skin and the sense of freedom that comes with being in a new place. Even when that hope is consumed by the flames of the KKK, she is able to find release by turning to God. Omens at the opening of the novel further emphasize the brutalities of the slave owners and the vagaries of nature because of the twists of fate that allow hatred and death to continue. Walker uses these vivid images to convey the triumph of the human spirit and the true glory of God through man.

I first read Jubilee over twenty-five years ago when I was in high school. The edition that I read had a photgraph of the real Vyry in it as well as one of the author. A native Mississippian, I had no clue at that time that Margaret Walker was to become Dr. Margaret Walker Alexander, noted author and poet. I watched her funeral on t.v. a couple of years ago and remembered the first time that I read Jubilee and how much I loved it and remembered the respect that Alexander commanded everywhere she went. Recently I decided to re-read Jubilee, and I am so glad that I did. Although I loved it back then, I love it even more now. Some have called Jubilee the black person's answer to Gone with the Wind, and perhaps it is, but I contend that Jubilee is for all races and not just for students of black history. Vyry is honest about her heritage, both sides, and tells of her life in slavery, focusing on both the good and the bad. The Reconstruction years are perhaps the most frightening in the book; she no longer has the benevolent white master and the safety of the plantation and its routine life to rescue her. Many people seem to forget that Emancipation was not the answer in and of itself; the free black had so many hardships to face when he was thrust into the world that he was little prepared for. Innis and Vyry discover this fact as they move, in Vyry's words, from "pillar to post" trying to earn an honest living and enjoy their freedom. Perhaps Jim, Vyry's son from her relationship with Randall Ware, has a point when he comments that freedom does them no good when all they do is work all the time and see little from their efforts. Jubilee has a great conclusion that sees the Brown family finally settle in a place where they are accepted and tie up the loose ends left when Randall Ware reappears in their lives. Jubilee is still the riveting historical novel that I read many years ago, a must-read for all Americans, no matter what their heritage, and a classic, yesterday, today, and forever.

I have to disagree with Maurena Logan. The book, Jubliee, is not just for black history buffs. Jubilee is not at all poorly written, in fact it is written strongly. The writer, Margaret Walker describes Vyry's life very vividly from the time her mother died up to the time that Vyry is a mother. Vyry had three children, Minna, Jim, and an unborn child. This book describes all the hardships, trials, and tribulations that Vyry must face being a slave. After Vyry lost her mother at such a young age her Aunt Sally had to care for her. This was okay until when Vyry was about nine, her Aunt Sally was sold and Vyry was left to care for herself. Jubilee tells the story of a young mulatto slave. Vyry, the main character, is born to a slave and her master. Vyry could pass to be white. In fact, when she was older she fit in just fine with white people. She had no trouble selling goods when her family needed money to survive. Her master's wife, Missy Salina is very hateful to her. Missy Salina treats her worse than you would treat a dog. She despises her and would love to rid herself of the tack Vyry has become to her. Not only is Vyry physically abused but also she emotionally abuses her. Through this all Vyry still found it within herself to love and forgive. Brother Zeke would talk of having faith in God and his promises to send a new Moses to free them as he did the Israelites when she was a little girl. Vyry always dreamed of being a free black woman ever since she met Randall Ware, a free black man. Vyry had two children for him. The first child, Jim, looked nothing like her but more like his father. Minna, the second child looked like her, she was pale and had fine brown hair like her mother's. The war gets into this picture when the Emancipation Proclamation is declared. Eventually Vyry was a free woman. Yes, this book does talk about history and the war, but it also brings you into the life of Vyry. It lets you feel her pain and suffering. Walker's style is very clearly organized and she is very outspoken. She draws attention to blacks suffering from hatred and rage. People don't realize that everyone is a victim of it.

Jubilee is a story that details the triumph of the human spirit in all its many facets: love, hate, fear, forgiveness, acceptance, compassion, pride. All these exist in the character of Vyry, a slave on a Georgia plantation, the never recognized daughter of the plantation's master. Stories of slavery, the Civil War, and its aftermath are often presented as glowing tales of chivalry and glory for those bygone days, but in Vyry's story, the glory comes only from faith in God and his promises to send a new Moses to free them as he did the Israelites. Imagine the other side: picture life from a slave's point of view and glory becomes hardship, backbreaking work, separation of families, vicious beatings and no hope of freedom. Vyry's story is true, retold by her great granddaughter in all its poignant detail as history unfolds and her life changes. Her strength and compassion for all mankind plus her faith in God and His moral commandments places Vyry with all great heroines. This is a thought provoking and heartbreaking story but one that triumphs in the end and leaves the reader with a sense of regret for past injustice and inhumanity. In no uncertain terms, this book makes it clear that there could be no excuse for slavery despite its ancient history and justification.