Child ByTiger

he lived being a black man living in the South. Although the story isn’t fully based on

racial issues, Dick still suffers racial oppression. For example, the fight with Lon Everett,

and having to sit outside of the white church during services. Eventually, after trying for

so long to remain calm and be accepted by society, he goes crazy on a killing rampage.

“Child By Tiger” shows a complete loss of innocence reguarding Prosser. He was once an

incredible black man that had many talents most blacks didnt have. All Dick wanted was to

be accepted by society but after he had tried so hard and so long he cant bear it anymore

and that is what causes his sudden reuption of violence. Prosser transforms from being the

lamb- very innocent creature, into a tiger by the end of the story- hence the title.

In the short story "The Child by Tiger," Thomas Wolfe uses Dick Prosser's

. . .
28) evidence that he has turned his back on God. Because Dick lives as a white man but his skin color marks him as black, Dick

never finds a niche. Unable to find approval, however, Dick finally

exhausts his search for consent by a shooting rampage. Instead, Dick just

stands there and allows the "blood to trickle from his flat black nostrils and from his thick

liver-colored lips. The afternoon before the killings, Dick's Bible

lay "face downward on the table," (pg.

Next to his forsaken Bible, Dick's "modern repeating rifle…[and] one hundred rounds of

ammunition" (pg. His skin color again affirms his helplessness and

servant-like nature to the white population. " Anger sweeping through

Dick because his strength exceeds that of the drunk Lon Everett, Dick must firmly stand

and take the punches thrown at him. The white race

takes advantage of Dick's abilities; however, they cannot accept him as one of their own

because pre-set stereotypes inhibit inter-racial relationships. Still unresolved, Dick finally deserts God and bursts into

a fit of violent rage, his last weak attempt to gain esteem. Unknown to Dick, however, the mass murdering not only takes Dick's

life, but also causes the townspeople to lose any initial respect they held. " Turning the other cheek, Dick passively suffers Lon Everett's hits once

more.

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Approximate Word count = 673
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

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