Book Analysis of Ernest J. Gaines's A Gathering of Old Men: Essay

This essay provides a comprehensive analysis of Ernest J. Gaines's novel, 'A Gathering of Old Men,' set in the late 1970s in Louisiana. The analysis explores the themes of social and civil justice, courage, and the breaking of social norms in the old South. It details the plot, characters, and the community's response to a murder on a plantation, highlighting the roles of Candy, Mathu, and Sheriff Mapes. The essay examines Gaines's storytelling techniques, including his use of symbolism and character development, particularly the transformation of Charlie. The conclusion reflects on the novel's resolution, where both black and white characters are brought together in the justice system, reflecting a shift from the injustices of the past. The essay concludes that Gaines's book is a story of hope and courage, where the old men represent a generation that has been through trial and tribulation and come together to save one of their own.

Book Analysis
Stacey Smalls 12/2/2018
Introduction

A Gathering of Old Men is a book set in the late 70’s by author Ernest J. Gaines. The
book brings together generational norms of the past to a more modern era. Gaines masterfully
navigates the bridges of social and civil justice with this book.
Summary
There has been a murder on a plantation deep in the old southern Louisiana bayou. Beau
Baton lay motionless in the weeds as Mathu, an old plantation hand, leaned up against the house
with his gun in hand. Candy, the owner and overseer of the plantation, immediately goes to work
and gather all the old men from the area that she can muster. Snookum, a young black boy, has
the task of spreading the news to meet at Candy’s. From here, things get more involved because
the Sheriff is coming and that is where things get interesting.
Analysis
Gaines put together a story of courage and try’s to break the social norms of the old
south. Each black character that he writes about has a story and a reason to want Beau dead.
Though not directly, he uses the circumstance to bring together the community for a common
cause. The character Candy ask that all men that are able to come to her home and bring with
them a shot gun and empty shells. She wants to create a situation in which the sheriff wont be
able to solve the crime that just happened. Sheriff Mapes, a typical southern redneck, lines up the
men and starts to question some of them. Each man the sheriff questions confesses to killing
Beau. Sheriff Mapes stops to think about what is going on and then makes a determination that
Mathu is the likely murderer. Mapes believes that Mathu is the only one with enough guts to
murder Beau. Here is where I believe that Gaines mastery of storytelling comes to light. He has
put together a coalition of the willing. This coalition of old men have nothing to lose because

they have lived and witnessed many atrocious acts during there lives and now they want to stand
up. The old men threaten to riot if the Sheriff tries to arrest anyone. Gaines use of Luke Will, a
redneck from the old school of thought, is a willing participant in a lynch mob that he leads.
Gaines shows a softer side of Sheriff Mapes because he uses Mapes as a shield to try and resist
Luke and his friends’ efforts to take Charlie. Charlie is the character that actually committed the
murder. Luke and Charlies gun fight result in Charlies death. Gaines character Charlie was not a
strong man at first. He shot Beau and ran away. Later, he mustered the strength to confess his
crime and became the man he never was. Gaines conclusion to the book brings together black
and white characters in the new justice system. The past was filled with injustice due to the
systemized racism. Despite two people dying in the story, the only punishment to all the men
involved received was probation. This gesture shows that the old south also has progressed to a
more equalized state. Gaines use of symbolism when Mathu disappears with the other black men
in a car, shows that the black man has been infused into society. It is reminiscent to the balanced
scales of justice. Gaines has shown how much the deep south and all its injustice are now
changed.
Conclusion
Ernest J. Gaines is a very good writer that uses real life issues to tell stories of hope and
courage. A Gathering of Old Men breaks the boundaries of social truths and norms that have
infected the deep south for so long. The old men represent a generation that has been through
trial and tribulation. They bound together to save one of their own. Gaines balanced the scales of
justice by having all the men involved receive the same punishment for there part in the crime.
The lynch mob in the book has never seen a willingness to fight back and were scared but still

willing to fight. The black men, tired of all the past injustices and torment, finally stood up and
became the men they never where.