Essay Questions

What makes Kit more privileged than other black girls? - “The Hamiltons”

Paul Laurence Dunbar observes, “Her (Fannie's) own eyes would follow the boy lovingly and proudly even as she chided. She could not say very much, either, for Berry always had the reply that she was spoiling Kit out of all reason. The girl did have the prettiest clothes of any of her race in the town, and when she was to sing for the benefit of the A. M. E. church or for the benefit of her father's society, the Tribe of Benjamin, there was nothing too good for her to wear. In this too they were aided and abetted by Mrs. Oakley, who also took a lively interest in the girl.” Kit is absolutely honored because her parents pamper her with proper affection. Besides, she has stunning clothes which are not a guarantee for her black contemporaries. Moreover, the opportunity to sing at church elevates her in ranking before the other black children. Mrs. Oakley’s generosity towards Kit is contributory in converting her into a princess.

Apply Lacanian Psychoanalysis to deconstruct Oakleys’ relationship with Francis. - “A Farewell Dinner”

Paul Laurence Dunbar elucidates, “A childless man (Maurice Oakley), he bestowed upon his younger brother, Francis, the enthusiasm he would have given to a son. His wife shared with her husband this feeling for her brother-in-law, and with him played the role of parent, which had otherwise been denied her. It was true that Francis Oakley was only a half-brother to Maurice, the son of a second and not too fortunate marriage, but there was no halving of the love which the elder man had given to him from childhood up.” Under Lacanian Psychoanalysis, Francis is the Oakley’s Objet Petit a who is representative of the son that they would have yearned to have. Their affection for him is unqualified for it is not inhibited for by the veracity of them being step-brothers. They shower him with the affection which they would have offered their son had they had one. Accordingly, their affiliation is equivalent to that of a son and his parents rather than that of step-siblings.