Just found this video yesterday in preparation for class lecture on the story today. I then watched the "Hills Like White Elephants" video because we covered it last week. And sure enough, there's a video on "Recitatif," which I also teach from time to time. All great stories for literary discussions!
Its so great that Hannah read the story to coincide with your discussion. I listened to her reading this morning. I agree that neither character is entirely sympathetic or admirable. Both, as you say, are racists. I dont think mother's ability to love and respect individual African Americans is a sign of gaps in her racism, rather a sign of the paternalistic racism (as Krypto says) where you feel like you arent racist because you have black friends: "Look at me I cant be racist because I loved this exceptional black person or I think black children are cute." That paternalism is I think why the black mother is so angry about the penny. The black mother knows exactly who the white woman is and the condescension in the gesture. She knows exactly how far the mother's tolerance extends. This is my favorite Flannery story because it is so difficult and uncomfortable. Your explanations were great and I enjoyed your video thoroughly.
For once in my life I followed the instructions. I listened to Hannah read and then caught up with your analysis. I'm an emotional mess now, the story is so sad and it resonated so much. So thank you, this was very well done and much appreciated. 👍💖
To your point at around 17:00 about the mother letting individuals into her heart while still maintaining racist beliefs toward them, it's very similar to her character Old Dudley in "The Geranium" which was one of her earliest stories and one of her personal favorites. It's a very common feature, from what I've read of FOC's work, to target the hypocrisy of Southern Whites. Another target of that hypocrisy that you touched on is the clothing. Clothing is so important in FOC stories and many comparisons can be made across her works. But very early in this story the mother is judging her son for not tightening his tie, telling him he looks "like a thug". To the mother clothing is a viable way to judge people. But when the black man gets on the bus in a nice suit and briefcase, his attire means nothing to the mother or the other white lady on the bus, exposing their hypocrisy. And of course, the hat that the mother wore because she "wouldn't run into herself on the street" ends up being the hat of the black mother. FOC's southern white characters often use clothing to shield themselves from seeing the faults in their ways, like how the Grandma in "A Good Man is Hard to Find" dresses well on the road trip so that if there were an accident, everyone would "know she was a lady." I think FOC really pinpointed these two hypocrisies as ways the Jim Crow South were able to shield itself from seeing their own immoral behavior. We have the benefit of hindsight but it is really impressive of O'Connor to have been able to dissect her own surroundings so accurately. Her accuracy and specificity are what makes her stand out against other great writers of her time.
Great discussion! It sounds like Julian isn't as bad as his mother, but he still made sure that the other bus people saw him be kind to the black individuals on the bus. He doesn't seem to be doing it sincerely but perhaps as a performance?
Excellent, really loved this. Not easy to unpack such a complex story with complex characters, but you guys did it so well. (Also, I have recently purchased a beautiful edition of her stories, published by Word on Fire, and can’t wait to read it even if some will be rereads).
For me Julian is the worst character in the story and is every single liberal who wants to do and be seen to do the progressive thing for the wrong reason, as you say. Every line in this story is excruciating, I think it's a masterpiece.
