se against the high brittle sound of Ten’s words. ‘I want him to live! He got to learn. He got to learn how to git along. He got to learn what he can’t do. He got to learn there’s white folks and colored folks and things you can’t do ef you wants to live Jesus help me, I’m goin to learn it to him.’” (p. 113)Mamie forebodes impending doom for Henry and is desperate to save him. She knows that teaching him to be humble and meek is vital to his survival. Henry must know his place in Maxwell. Mamie will do whatever it takes to teach her son.Families have indeed been crucial in keeping the racial traditions of Maxwell. Children have been cautiously fostered under these stringent and prejudicial guidelines. Tillie Anderson and Mamie McIntosh have vigorously trained their children about the confines of their class. Tracy Deen has also been made aware of the elevated status ofhis race. It is without question that with these clearly defined roles, the perpetuation of bigotry is highly inevitable....
