Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Character Descriptions
OK, so last night I was reading a book, Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen, and if you remember back in eariler posts I asked what race do assume the character is? Some of said that may be left open for the reader to deciede and that there may be no deffiant race for a single or group of characters. Well in the book I read last night, in every other character the narrarter introduced, they wouldnt give a description of the race except when "a black girl with long braids emerged," pg. 48. In every other context, it is usually just the description of what the character ("I saw the source: a short kid wearing a peacoat and some serious orthodontia, sitting in the backseat with a book open in his lap" pg. 103), except for the one on page 48. Why is it that in the book world we live in we need to be told if a character is of a different race but not often need to be told that the character is white? I know this book isnt the only one.
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I'm assuming that the writer is white and that he/she is more prone to be aware of the race other than hers/his and oblivious to the relevance of the color of the skin of her/his own race.
ReplyDeleteBeing within the majority, I believe whites can live their lives without having to be identified as the "white girl with the frizzy blonde hair" or "the white boy with the cowlick hidden under his Twins baseball cap". Whilst people of races other than caucasian are always told to accept and be aware of the color of their skin/race. They have to - they couldn't be colorblind or else racism wouldn't be conquered and the situation just plain wouldn't make sense.
I think this is a reflection of the privilege of whites to be able to put aside their race when it comes to the identity of themselves and another person; in contrast to the experience non-caucasian humans have in this country.
On a final note, race should be irrelevant or should be mentioned in both cases.
Haven't read it but I agree with Kyleegirl - sounds like the writer is a. lazy or b. totally unaware of her racist suppositions. (Not trying to put words in your mouth. I'm extending from my understanding of what you're saying.)
ReplyDeleteYeah, it's fine.
ReplyDelete