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Example research essay topic: Feudalism And Toni Morrison Paradise - 1,152 words

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An investigation into life in Ruby, the city at the center of Toni Morrisons Paradise, must start with an understanding of the government or lack thereof internal and external to Ruby. It is not immediately evident why so many of the residents of Ruby seem unable to leave the town and willing to give up their enfranchisement, or why the founders of Ruby react with such violence to the Convent on the outskirts of town. External to Ruby, the surrounding world is an America hostile to black freedom and dangerous to black livelihood. Inside Ruby it is safe, but its citizens have yielded the power of governing Ruby to Deek and Steward Morgan, two founders and the bankers of the town. However, due to the incestuous closeness of the town, the rule of Deek and Steward evolves into feudalism. This feudal order is evident in the way the brothers set and maintain the unwritten rules and history of Ruby, and especially in the viciousness with which they attack the Convent on the outskirts of town.

In the years immediately following the Civil War, the freedmen participated fairly freely in the Reconstruction governments of the Southern states by voting and holding office. However, after federal troops were withdrawn and the Republican Party switched its attention to the economic depression of the time, the freedmen lost these rights. The perpetual threat of white violence on little or no pretense combined with a complete lack of freedom of movement or possession created a situation not unlike the second century AD, when large private estates worked by slaves were broken up and given to peasant farmers, who were forced to fend for themselves against barbarian hordes. These farmers, for their own protection, formed pacts with other landowners for protection, and gradually the larger landowners gained complete loyalty from smaller landowners. Eventually, Constantine I, in AD 337, established serfdom legally, and serfs could not marry, change occupations, or move without their lords permission. Toni Morrisons Paradise depicts a group of freedmen and their descendants who, when faced with rejection and violence by the world, attempt to protect themselves by creating a Haven away from the outside world.

They forge castle walls by founding Ruby in the middle of nowhere and discouraging outsiders from settling or even staying for a few hours. However, this boundary between Ruby and the rest of the world a belief that within Ruby is good, and without is evil and dangerous allows for those in charge to rule in any way that keeps Ruby safe. Deek and Steward Morgan lead the men to Ruby, and establish themselves as the bankers and set themselves up to be the major property-holders of the land. Thus, their self-perceived stake in the success of Ruby as a safe community is greater than anywhere else is, and they take steps to control the town. Reverend Misner, as an outsider, can see this dynamic better than any of the town residents who have inherent biases.

An argument between Misner and Anna Flood, the descendant of Ace Flood, one of the Founders, illustrates: Its sort of [Deek's] town, wouldnt you say? His and Stewards? They founded it, didnt they? Whove you been talking to? Fifteen families founded this town. Fifteen, not two.

The money, said Misner. The Morgans had the money. I guess I should say they financed the town not founded it. You wrong there too. Everybody pitched in.

The bank idea was just a way of doing it. Families bought shares in it, you know, instead of just making deposits Misner nodded Anna refused to understand the difference between investing and cooperating. Misner understands the situation completely: Deek and Steward convinced their peers in Haven to come with them to found Ruby, and then secure their own wealth by controlling the bank and having everyone invest in it. What Anna doesnt understand is what she views as neighborly cooperation actually becomes an investment in the future power of the banks owners. Deek's wife, Some, witnesses the growing of the bank, and yet she doesnt understand why Deek wasnt worried enough by their friends money problems to help them out. Why, for instance, couldnt Menus have kept the house he bought? (Morrison, 107).

The answer to States questions is that Deek and Steward will certainly lend money to help the citizens of the town stay solvent; however, they are not interested in cooperation now that they are receiving the homage due their feudal power. Furthermore, the support of the other founders of Ruby is guaranteed not only because of their financial dependence on the banking brothers, but also the fact that the brothers have been in charge from the beginning, have come from the same history as the other founders, and have delivered on their promise of a safe community. Deek and Stewards method for control is based on their knowledge and experience, which is based in the history of Haven, passed down in the strong oral tradition. The history of Haven is rooted in the fact that their 8 -rock blackness puts them at the bottom of the racial order in the external world. In reaction, as Pat Best describes, the original Father of Haven, Zechariah, imposes not a reckless order, but a race order that is the exact opposite of the one in the external world. This blood rule in Ruby serves both the purpose of excluding (and identifying) outsiders, and elevating the status of the Founders (Morrison, 195).

Deek and Steward use the history of Haven in more ways than to define a racial order. Its parables are presented as close to religious/Christian in the Christmas pageant, and its story is elevated to the level of myth. But that story is entirely controlled by Deek and Steward, as it is their Grandfather Zechariah who is the leader of the founding of Haven. They use and control that history to for their own use.

As Deek says, Nobody is going to mess with a thing our grandfathers built. They made each and every brick one at a time with their own hands And we respected what they had gone through to do it Tell them, Sargeant, how delicate was the separation, how careful we were Tell them, Fleet. You tell him if Im lying. Me and my brother lifted that iron. The two of us (Morrison, 86). Deek takes control of the history, by pointing out that he is a direct descendent of the original founders of Haven.

Then, he recognizes the specific value of the other men who were there who could offer their own versions of the history, but are pacified by his attention. Finally, Deek points out that the real leaders of Ruby are he and his brother. In the isolation of Ruby, this is the only history that is told, and the history belongs to Deek and Steward. In addition, Deek and Steward...


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