40 Book Challenge 11.16.15

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry By Mildred D. Taylor

Pages: Finished Book

     Theme is a message about life or human nature. The theme of Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor is meaningful change happens slowly and with sacrifice. I know this because in the book many characters had to do stuff they didn't want to do, but had to. In the book it states, "I asked him why he had to go away, why the land was so important. He took my hand and said in his quiet way: 'Look out there, Cassie girl. All that belongs to you. You ain't never had to live on nobody's place but your own and as long as I leave and the family survives, you'll never have to. That's important. You may not understand that now, but one day you will. Then you'll see.'" This quote shows that Cassie's dad always has to leave to work so they can keep their land. The reason why Cassie doesn't understand why the land is so important because African Americans at that time rarely owned anything. The dad has to leave for long periods of times to provide for his family and sacrifices his time with his family, so meaningful change happens slowly and with sacrifice.

     Another example that backs up the theme of this book is the conflict. The conflict is how the Logan Family goes through racism and segregation with the Wallaces and Harlan Granger. The book states, "'You think by shopping up at Vicksburg you gonna drive them Wallace's out, then you got idea of how things work down here. You forgetting Harlan Granger backs that store.'" This quote explains that even though there are sacrifices and consequences of getting in the middle of Harlan Granger's store that the Logans and many others will boycott the store to get a point across and to get treated better. They had to sacrifice their safety and threats to stand up for themselves and to not be treated poorly.

     One more example of the theme in the book is Mama's actions. In the book it states, " I know this quote backs up the theme because since the black schools didn't get new books no one thought it was fair. Even though it wouldn't change that black schools don't get new books it was at least showing something. She could have lost her job and be in trouble for standing up for herself and the students.This quote hugely backs up the theme of the book, meaningful change happens slowly and with sacrifice.