The "Awful Sin" in McKay's "The Lynching"

After reading and reflecting on Claude McKay's poetry, I found that I was most impressed, but also perplexed by McKay's poem "The Lynching." Most particularly, I am confused by the meaning behind line 4 in which McKay states in context to an African American man being lynched, "The awful sin remained still unforgiven" (707). What is this sin in which McKay is referring to? McKay doesn't allude to the man having committed any sort of crime or wrong and doesn't include any kind of description of the man in the poem. Adding to my confusion is the footnote below the poem that states that the first four lines of the poem allude to the crucifixion of Christ. What does this context mean in reference to the lynchings that occurred in the South? After reading the poem again, I noticed another curious aspect of the poem in the first two lines; the word spirit is capitalized and the word father, referring to God, is not: "His Spirit in smoke ascended to high heaven./ His father, by the cruelest way of pain,/ Had bidden him to his bosom once again" (707). What is the meaning behind this use of capitalization and how does it explain line 4 of the poem? After some thought and taking all of these aspects of the poem into account, I think perhaps that the "awful sin" mentioned in line 4 is referring to the Biblical sin of mankind or is actually not referring to a particular sin at all and is merely using this phrase as a way to express cynicism and the irony behind lynching people for the color of their skin alone. I think that the "awful sin" could be the Biblical sin of mankind due to the fact that the first four lines are referring to the crucifixion of Christ and that McKay seems to be drawing parallels between Jesus and the lynched man of the poem. Although this could be McKay's intention, I tend to think that the "awful sin" is alluding to McKay's cynicism and the irony of skin color being a "sin." This interpretation makes sense in context to the rest of the poem as McKay's choice not to capitalize father could be seen as disrespectful and shows a bitterness towards God. His bitterness is also reflected in lines 6 and 7, as the "star" (God) that had been guiding the lynched man "gave him up at last to Fate's wild whim" (708). Whether the "awful sin" is interpreted as the sin of mankind or as an expression of irony, McKay's poem powerfully reflects the horrors of lynching and expresses the author's questioning faith in the face of great injustice and tragedy.

Aha!

After reading Frances Harper’s poem “Learning to Read” and Charles W. Chesnutt’s “The Wife of His Youth,” my Aha! Moment came through realizing the significance of education on class/social distinctions for those of African heritage after the Civil War. I read “Learning to Read” first and was most effected by the last stanza of Harper’s poem, which reflects the effects and benefits of receiving an education, as Aunt Chloe requires a cabin after learning to read: “Then I got a little cabin/ A place to call my own--/ And I felt independent/ As a queen upon her throne.” I realized the significance of this connection, but felt that I hadn’t arrived at an Aha! Moment, so I continued onto Chesnutt’s short story. While reading “The Wife of His Youth,” one quote considerably stood out to me and continued to stay with me after finishing the story. Mr. Ryder, the main character and leader of the Blue Veins society, states his theory regarding climbing the social ladder as a man of mixed ethnicity:

“’I have no race prejudice,’ he would say, ‘but we people of mixed blood are ground between the upper and the nether millstone. Our fate lies between absorption by the white race and extinction in the black. The one doesn't want us yet, but may take us in time. The other would welcome us, but it would be for us a backward step. 'With malice towards none, with charity for all,' we must do the best we can for ourselves and those who are to follow us. Self-preservation is the first law of nature’” (56-57).

Even after finishing the story and learning that Mr. Ryder was the husband of the old woman, the above quote lingered and stood out to me more than the surprising finish to the story. I sat and thought about the quote and came to realize that I had never before thought about those of mixed heritage during the Restoration. What kind of a position were they to occupy in a society that had previously divided its citizens into the categories of white or colored? I have come to realize that those of mixed heritage would be in a kind of limbo in society during this time period and would be ostracized from both communities due to lingering prejudices and resentments.  Then, I further came to understand the importance and impact of education for those of African heritage that had been enslaved or were denied the opportunity of education before the end of the Civil War. For those of “mixed blood” as Mr. Ryder says in the above quote, an education would be the means for them to climb the social ladder and further separate themselves from the history and prejudice against their ancestors. This idea is reflected in what Mr. Ryder says to the old woman regarding her estranged husband: “"Perhaps he's outgrown you, and climbed up in the world where he wouldn't care to have you find him” (59).  Upon this realization, I further concluded that by having Mr. Ryder accept his past through recognizing and accepting his former slave wife of years before, Chesnutt is sending readers of mixed heritage the message that they should not forget their roots, but embrace them. Chesnutt is also stating that those of mixed heritage that have had greater opportunities for education should be more inclusive of those of African ancestry that have not had the same opportunities, as it will help those at the bottom of the social ladder to gain more ground. This is alluded in his use of Lincoln’s infamous quote from his Second Inaugural Address, “With malice towards none, with charity for all” (1375). This quote would particularly effect readers and encourage them to heed Chesnutt’s advice. The economic benefits and feelings of great accomplishment in gaining an education are illustrated in the last stanza of Harper’s poem and further emphasize the impact of education on social class for African Americans before the end of the Civil War.

Print Culture Across the Gilded Age and the 21st Century

During the American Gilded Age, “developments in technology…transformed virtually every aspect of life” (22). Inventions such as the radio, telegraph, and car were just a few of the technologies that emerged, changing American culture forever. Among the groundbreaking technologies of the Gilded Age were advances in print and publishing, including the automated printing press and the linotype machine. The effects of these advances on print culture were great, as the demand for printed materials grew with the new ease of circulation and production of literary material (23). Today in the 21^st century, I would argue that our nation is going through another period of great technological development that is greatly impacting Americans and what we have known to be the American way of life. In modern times, print culture is again changing dramatically, both in positive and negative ways, due to the expanse of new technologies in print. With the emergence of the e-book, IPad, and Kindle, people now have access to literature like never before and traditional methods of publishing are being threatened. Newspapers and magazines thrived in the Gilded Age, but are suffering in the 21^st century where information circulates faster and more efficiently through the Internet than through print. Newspaper, magazine, and book publishers are now adapting to this new change in print culture by making their stories and works available on the Internet and through purchase on electronic reading devices. In the past, technology has always impacted print culture for the better. For the first time in American history, we have reached a point where our technological advances have become so great that print culture is beginning to see its negative impacts. However, with these new technologies of the 21^st century, like in the Gilded Age, authors are becoming more widely read with the increase of distribution. While automotive technologies increased the breadth of distribution in the Gilded Age, electronic reading devices and the Internet have now made it possible for people to read practically anything and any author of their choosing with the push of a button. Consequentially, authors are given more opportunities for success and recognition and readers have more reading material available to them. In both the Gilded Age and in the 21^st Century, print culture has been dramatically impacted by new technologies and has expanded its audience through greater means of circulation, sustaining the notion that America is a nation of readers.  

Lincoln’s and Davis’ Inaugural Addresses from the Prospective of a Freed African American Slave (Option 2)

My name is Sarah Williams. I am a former African American slave currently living in Pennsylvania. I came to my freedom by escaping from a dreadful cotton plantation in Montgomery, Alabama through means of the Underground Railroad. Since living here in the Union, I have learned to read and write through the kindness of friends and have come to find reading as my most enjoyable pastime. I have recently read Jefferson Davis’ Inaugural Address and President Lincoln’s (may he rest in peace) Second Inaugural Address and feel it necessary to write down my reflections in my personal journal. I cannot but help be astounded at the great ideas expressed in each, though I find Davis’ ideas quite preposterous. One similarity that I find very intriguing, as I am a devout Christian woman myself, is that both leaders speak to God’s will, but in two very different lights. Jefferson Davis so boldly states in his address that “we are doubly justified by the absence of wrong on our part” (1360), and justifies this idea by stating “Sanctified by justice and sustained by a virtuous people, let me reverently invoke the God of our fathers to guide and protect us in our efforts to perpetuate the principles which by HIS blessing they were able to vindicate, establish, and transmit to their prosperity” (1362). I find this statement absolutely appalling, as both a Christian woman and as a former slave. How these white men in the south can believe God to condone such injustice and cruelty to His people is beyond me. Jefferson suggests that God approves of the succession of the South and of their continuance of the use of slavery to reap economic profit. This is a most strange viewpoint to me and one that I will never be able to understand. There is still much anger in my heart, and yet I pray to God to change the hearts of these callus men. I recently read Fredrick Douglass’ Narrative at the suggestion of a friend, and I must say that from my own experience, I heartily agree with his statement that the most Christian slave owners were also the worst.

            President Lincoln also speaks of God and His role in the Great War, and his wise words have most certainly inspired me and have opened my heart to being a better Christian. Lincoln states in his address regarding the religion of the North and South: “Both read the same Bible, and pray to the same God; and each invokes His aid against the other. It may seem strange that any men should dare to ask a just God’s assistance in wringing their bread from the sweat of other men’s faces; but let us judge not that we be not judged” (1375). As I have stated before, the very idea that both members of the Union and Confederacy were praying to the same God in hopes of destroying the other is so astounding to me and though I agree with President Lincoln in wondering how the Confederacy felt no guilt of conscience in asking God to support so un-Christian a cause, I must not judge for God will judge me in return. I hear these words of a wise and noble man such as Lincoln, and I inspire to be such a Christian, but they leave me bitter. How can God expect me not to judge the men who are responsible for so much death, destruction, and cruelty? Who were responsible for so much suffering not only on my part, but also on part of all my beloved brothers and sisters? Lincoln speaks the word of the Lord in his address and it reverberates strong in my heart and the hearts of others, but it is hard to accept for those of us that have experienced their wicked deeds first hand. Yet, Lincoln proclaims that God’s will be done and that we will fight until God’s wrath has thoroughly punished the Confederacy through the destruction of the war. This idea is frightening and, though I hate to say it, encouraging. Is God punishing the Confederacy for their wickedness through this war? If so God hasn’t turned his back on the slaves in the South, as so many of them have proclaimed. I, too, nearly lost my faith until very soon before my escape. Perhaps these words will renew faith in enslaved and former enslaved African Americans who have lost all hope and faith in the Lord. May He bless and keep them.