Notes for Understanding Perfection Learning

 Born 15 January 1933, river Lake Plantation in Pointe Coupee Parish, LA  Parents separated and the absence of father would contribute to major theme of sons searching for fathers

 Moved to California when 15; racial and ethnic variety of new surroundings was reminiscent of cultural mixture that characterized his Louisiana parish  Step-father in Merchant Marines – strict disciplinarian; Gaines spent much time researching the Louisiana world he left behind

 Cajun – white French immigrants from Canada (1700s); Acadians migrated to LA because it was French territory; bayou country of LA = farming and fishing (hunting)  Creole- mixture of French and Spanish influence; African-American and white racial heritage; kept to themselves

 Called the Bayou griot – oral historian, poet, singer; Gaines relates and tells of the history, local events, and mix of African-American, Cajun, and Creole heritages that compose the multi-cultural identity of the cloistered community

 Formal schooling at San Francisco State  Return to Baton Rouge in January 1963  Professor of creative writing at University of Southern Louisiana (USL)

 Many narrators – depict many actualities, differing perceptions of reality  “Many narrators allow us the opportunity to know the characters’ consciousness intimately, and what clearly emerges is the dual consciousness of men who have existed in a world of silent acceptance while dreaming of a world of willful action.”

 The power to act, to be identified – action is power  “Men, who for many years have waited as silent brutes, at long last discard their yokes and seize power over their lives.”

 They become men who ‘do things,’ and in a single act of courage reaffirm their manhood and humanity.”  “In their twilight years, they realize the opportunity an act of murder provides them to salvage their dignity.”