Essay Questions

What is the value of wealth in Judge and Malone’s lives?

Both J.T. Malone and Judge Fox are depicted as characters who are immersing wealth but death is catching up with them. Malone is followed by predicaments such as ill-health and the collapse of his medical school. On the other hand, Judge is strategizing on how to restore the confederate so that he can bring back his money into a usable currency to increase his wealth. Nevertheless, these two characters have limited time to live implying that the accumulated wealth they are after is valueless to their lives.

Why is racism one of the dominant themes in Clock Without Hands by Carson McCullers?

Judge Fox Clane is portrayed as a symbol of racism in the book. During this time, black people are seen as lesser beings because of their color. For instance, Sherman Pew finds it impossible to live with Judge Fox because of his discrimination. The reader also notes that the people in town do not put up with black people because they view them as slaves. Similarly, facilities such as schools, hospitals, and recreational facilities are segregated to avoid direct interaction between whites and blacks.

What is the motif of death in Clock Without Hands?

The author is enlightening the reader that no one is immortal in this world regardless of social status, education, political or religious standing. All people must die one day and this implies that no one should mistreat others for their own benefit. Malone is an educated man and he owns a medical school facility but death is knocking at his door. Similarly, Judge Fox is a greedy man who wants to restore the Confederate so that he can multiply his wealth. The irony is that Judge Fox has a few days to live before he dies. The majority of the known racists have died and many will die. Therefore, the motif of death is that no one is immortal and we should all strive at doing good to humanity.