An Autonomous Black

Despite the ostensible classist, suspicious, and assimilistic characteristics, Wilson characterizes Seth as the embodiment of black autonomy, through his

independence, craftsmanship, and diligence. Among a plethora of characters, Seth is quite“different”(Wolfe86;Pereira57;Brewer9).Hay regardsSeth representing “the brunt of the ideas[…]black work ethics”(in Bigsby 97).WolfepointsoutSeth has four jobs: the owner of a boarding house, a factory worker, a tinsmith, and a vegetable farmer (86). He is a sharp contrast to the wandering jobless blacks out in the street such as Jeremy and Loomis.“HisNorthern upbringing and sedentary lifestylemake him an anomaly among men in Joe Turner”(Brewer 9).

In addition to his factory job, Seth not only runs the boarding house with efficiency and success, makes a lucrative business out of this tinsmith skill, but he is

also planning to open up the tin manufacturing business himself. When dealing with Selig, he proves to be a better businessman than him for he is quick and sharp. This enterprising spirit further indicates how confident he feels about himself. The best work ethicsisepitomized in hisremark,“Allyou gotto do iswantto do it”(43). The assertiveness on this self-centered, overbearing, and arrogant Seth again conforms to Wilson’spreferenceovercomplicated characterization.

4. Conclusion

Wilson dislikes arbitrary binary opposition and this distaste can be found both in the theme and the characterization in Joe Turner’s Come and Gone. But he also stresses flexibility and embraces the blending way of life to incorporate both African and American cultures. This blending is also his characteristic in characterizing people in the play. Mixing seemingly “contradictory” perspectives together, he presents his characters in a vital and vivid way. Through the metaphorical

characterization of Bynum, Loomis, and Bertha, Wilson asserts the importance of their African identity. Bet even the wise sage Bynum in search of his shiny man clearly manifests his metaphorical characterization through the combined image of John the Baptist, St. Paul and the African conjure man. The similar African Christian aura can be found in the characterization of Loomis because even if he rejects

Christian salvation and reconnects himself with African roots, his vision of the bones people and his self-laceration are very Christian. The characterization of Bertha furtherreconfirmsWilson’sstrategy of blending since Bertha incorporates African and Christian ways of living in her life. Her kind thoughts, words, and deeds evidence the harmony of such blending ways of life.

Like the dispersal of the Middle Passage three hundred years ago, the Big Migration also results in another dispersal of American blacks. Only through

reconnecting with their past can these African Americans acquire self-determination and self-fulfillment.

Furthermore, Wilson also renovates poetics of characterization by allowing minor characters to offer meaningful lessons or remarks of edification. Minor characters like Selig and Seth are convincingly sparkling because of their

mixed-valued characterization. (Hay points out that Jeremy also has dual character portray:on theonehand,helooks“foolish and backward”;on theotherhand,heis

“principled and intelligent”(in Bigsby 98).)Although both characters seem to incur harsh criticisms at the first glance, under scrutiny, one finds the tremendously profound significance imbedded in their characterization. While the characterization of the white devil imparts forgiveness and coalition, the characterization of the black devil reminds blacks to emulateSeth’sagency and hard work. A more constructive

perspective evolves from their negative profiles. In sum, Wilson’sspecial blending way to characterize has indeed diversified and enriched the different arrays of American dramatic literature.

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