LaValle’s novella, “The Ballad of Black Tom,” captivates readers by exploring horrors and monsters that extend beyond the supernatural. Drawing inspiration from H.P. Lovecraft’s mythos, LaValle delves into racial tensions, socio-political turmoil, and the haunting legacy of oppression. This research paper examines how these elements serve as metaphors for larger social and cultural phenomena. Specifically, we analyze the novella’s portrayal of racial anxieties, power dynamics, and the legacy of systemic racism. By addressing the research question, “How does The Ballad of Black Tom employ horrors and monsters to illuminate the social and cultural horrors of racism and oppression?” we aim to unravel the profound implications of LaValle’s vividly imagined world.
To explore the horrors and monsters in The Ballad of Black Tom, it is crucial to understand the novella’s circumstances. LaValle immerses his story in 1920s New York City, an era rife with discrimination against the black community, as some states still upheld Jim Crow segregation laws. In a masterful feat, he intertwines elements of supernatural horror and socio-political constructs to create a compelling narrative. The novel follows Charles Thomas Tester, a street musician in Harlem who inadvertently gets sucked into a world thriving on obscure magic and enigmatic evils.
LaValle employs a non-linear narrative structure, skillfully blending current events with flashbacks and interludes that provide historical context and character backstories. This technique allows the reader to experience Tester’s transformation and unravel the layers of horror and societal commentary embedded within the plot. For example, in a pivotal scene, Tester encounters a police officer who racially profiles and harasses him solely based on his skin color (La Valle). This encounter advances the plot and serves as a catalyst for Tester’s understanding of the systemic racism and oppression he faces as an African American in the 1920s.
The characterization in “The Ballad of Black Tom” is richly developed and serves as a vehicle for exploring themes of identity, power, and the consequences of societal marginalization. Charles Thomas Tester undergoes a profound transformation throughout the novella. Initially, he is depicted as a young man trying to make ends meet through his musical talents, navigating the racial dynamics and limitations imposed upon him by society (La Valle). However, as Tester becomes exposed to the supernatural forces and the power they offer, he embraces a darker path, shedding his previous moral compass.
Moreover, the writer’s deployment of vocabulary and illustrative visuals fortifies the disturbing environment and sense of uneasiness throughout the novella. LaValle’s literary language meticulously captures the spirit of 1920s New York City, crafting vivid representations that immerse readers in that era’s sight, sound, and nervousness. The detailed portrayal of phantom creatures like Night Doctor contributes to an unsettled and eerie ambiance as it accentuates prevalent feelings of foreboding (NPR).
The research objective of this study is to analyze the portrayal of racial tensions and power dynamics in the novella “The Ballad of Black Tom” by Victor LaValle and explore how these themes contribute to the overall narrative and its social commentary. Specifically, the investigation will focus on the relationship between racial anxieties, power dynamics, and the transformative journey of the protagonist, Charles Thomas Tester.
The scrutiny of the depiction of power policies and racial tensions presented in “The Ballad of Black Tom” is undeniably essential, especially in light of its relevance today. This novella offers a thorough analysis that delves into the intricacies of racial dynamics, enlightening us on how African Americans were subjected to systematic oppression in the early twentieth century (Thornton). Investigating these issues further adds to existing scholarly debates surrounding LaValle’s work – in particular, questions around how he employs horror and speculative fiction can address broader socio-cultural concerns – all while expanding our understanding of how historical injustices have left long-lasting effects on society.
Several scholarly works have addressed themes related to race, power dynamics, and social commentary in “The Ballad of Black Tom,” providing valuable insights into the novella and its broader implications. One such literary article is “This is how you hustle the arcane”: The Unspeakable Thing Unspoken in Victor LaValle’s The Ballad of Black Tom by Pak Yumi. In the article, Pak explores the interplay between Lovecraftian horror and African American history in LaValle’s novella. He analyzes how LaValle engages with Lovecraft’s legacy to subvert and critique the racism inherent in Lovecraft’s works, offering a fresh perspective on cosmic horror while addressing racial tensions and the experience of the other.
Additionally, Hudson’s article “Racial (In) Visibility, Cosmic Indifference: Reimagining HP Lovecraft’s Legacy in Victor LaValle’s The Ballad of Black Tom (2016)”offers a detailed analysis of the novella, focusing on race, genre conventions, and the presence of haunting. She explores how LaValle employs horror and the supernatural to address racial anxieties, power dynamics, and historical traumas, further contextualizing the social commentary within the narrative.
Furthermore, Thomas Fahy’s book “The Philosophy of Horror” explores the nature and significance of horror as a genre. Although not explicitly focused on “The Ballad of Black Tom,” Fahy’s analysis can be applied to the novella to enhance our understanding of its horror elements and thematic implications. According to Fahy, horror literature enables people to confront their deepest fears and anxieties.
This notion can be applied to “The Ballad of Black Tom” as it delves into the horrors of power dynamics, societal oppression, and racial tensions experienced by African Americans in the early 1900s. By examining the novella through Fahy’s lens, we can recognize how it employs horror as a medium for social commentary. It reveals the monstrous aspects of racism by portraying supernatural and cosmic horrors as metaphors for the real-life horrors faced by marginalized communities.
Finally, the book “Dark Fantastic: Race and the Imagination from Harry Potter to The Hunger Games” by Ebony Elizabeth Thomas (2019) also highlights specific elements of the novella. Although not solely focused on “The Ballad of Black Tom,” Thomas provides a broader examination of race in speculative fiction. Her analysis of various works, including those with racial themes, offers insights into the representation of race, power, and social commentary in the genre, which can be applied to understanding LaValle’s novella.
Upon closer examination of the story, we can observe that the malevolent horrors and frightening mysteries presented within its pages are not exclusively works of fiction. Rather, these literary devices serve as potent representations of the oppressive forces and systemic biases deeply ingrained in society that have persistently marginalized minority groups like African Americans. By closely examining the manifestations of these horrors and mysteries, we can uncover how LaValle addresses the socio-cultural realities of his time and exposes the deep-rooted fears and anxieties that pervade society.
Furthermore, portraying racial anxieties in The Ballad of Black Tom is central to exploring horrors and monsters. LaValle skillfully captures the palpable sense of unease and discrimination faced by African Americans during the early 20th century (The Ballad of Black Tom Themes). Through the character of Charles Thomas Tester, we witness the constant threat of violence and marginalization that permeates his daily life. One notable incident occurs when Charles Thomas Tester, the protagonist, encounters police officers who subject him to racial profiling and harassment solely based on his skin color. This encounter highlights the pervasive racial biases in law enforcement and the systemic targeting of African American individuals.
Additionally, Tester faces economic exploitation as he becomes involved with Robert Suydam, a wealthy white man who exploits his talents as a musician for personal gain. This exploitation underscores the economic disparities and unequal power dynamics disproportionately affecting African American communities. The novella confronts the readers with the brutal realities of racial profiling, prejudice, and the limitations imposed on individuals based on race.
In addition to the central theme of race, The Ballad of Black Tom explores several other thematic elements that contribute to the depth and complexity of the novella (The Ballad of Black Tom Themes). These themes encompass socio-political dynamics, power struggles, and the nature of horror itself. One significant theme the novella highlights is the exploration of socio-political unrest and how it affects people and groups. The backdrop for this storyline is 1920s New York City, which was rife with social distress and political upheaval during that era. Against this tumultuous atmosphere, the narrative aptly captures the frictions and disputes between various social classes and factions.
Robert Suydam symbolizes the privileged in society who use their advantage to manipulate supernatural powers and marginalized individuals for their benefit. Through this portrayal, the story examines how power dynamics can become corrupted. Furthermore, it reveals the lengths people will go to uphold their dominant status (Emrys). As a result of these observations, the novella delves into the implications of social hierarchies, unequal treatment under these hierarchies, and those who try to impose them on others. Ultimately, such power struggles lead one to question the integrity of those determined to exploit others for their gain – leaving readers with an impression they will not soon forget.
Another theme explored in The Ballad of Black Tom is the nature of horror and its transformative potential. LaValle engages with the horror genre, mainly drawing inspiration from H.P. Lovecraft’s works, to challenge and subvert traditional notions of horror (Emrys). Although the story has many supernatural beings and frightening cosmic entities, the true horror is not limited solely to these otherworldly creatures. Instead, what indeed sends shivers down one’s spine are the real-world atrocities underscored by the novella, including prejudice, oppression, and pervasive violence stemming from systematic injustice.
In blending aspects of both supernatural and societal elements in his work, LaValle emphasizes that much of the terror we encounter arises from human actions or existence itself, particularly those which endure possessing enduring effects on humanity (Thornton). This exploration prompts readers to contemplate the underlying fears and anxieties that fuel societal horrors and to question the boundaries between the supernatural and the horrors of everyday life.
Moreover, The Ballad of Black Tom delves deeper into the complex idea of legacy and the cyclical nature of history. Various characters and events in this novella meticulously examine how past actions and forgotten traumas resonate throughout present times, impacting individual lives and entire communities. According to Thornton, the effects of systematic prejudice and oppression remain highly evident throughout the narrative, inevitably shaping the experiences and decisions made by its cast of characters. This thematic exploration prompts reflection on the enduring effects of historical injustices and how they continue to shape contemporary society. It invites readers to confront uncomfortable truths and consider the potential for breaking free from the cycles of violence and discrimination.
In conclusion, Victor LaValle’s novella “The Ballad of Black Tom” packs a poignant punch by exploring racial tensions, power dynamics, and social commentary. The intricately woven plot and multidimensional characterization reveal the deep-seated racism plaguing African Americans during the 1920s and effectively challenge conventional narratives. LaValle’s unique literary techniques, such as non-linear structure and evocative language, also leave a lasting impact while conveying important messages about intersecting themes of race, power, and historical injustices. This research contributes to critical scholarly discussions on the literature on race issues in society today while highlighting how this novella maintains relevance for fostering critical reflections that envision an equal future. Altogether, “The Ballad of Black Tom” is a necessary reminder that confronting the horrors of our past can help us strive towards creating a better tomorrow through awareness and action.
Works Cited
Fahy, Thomas, ed. The philosophy of horror. University Press of Kentucky, 2010.
Pak, Yumi. “This is how you hustle the arcane”: The Unspeakable Thing Unspoken in Victor LaValle’s The Ballad of Black Tom.” ASAP/Journal 6.2 2021: 353–378.
Hudson, Kathleen. “Racial (In) Visibility, Cosmic Indifference: Reimagining HP Lovecraft’s Legacy in Victor LaValle’s The Ballad of Black Tom (2016).” Lovecraft in the 21st century. Routledge, 2021. 186–200.
LaValle, Victor. The Ballad of Black Tom. Tordotcom, 2016.
NPR. “‘The Ballad of Black Tom’ Offers a Tribute to and Critique of Lovecraft.” NPR, NPR, 29 Feb. 2016, www.npr.org/transcripts/468558238. Accessed 25 May 2023.
“The Ballad of Black Tom Themes.” SuperSummary, www.supersummary.com/the-ballad-of-black-tom/themes/. Accessed 25 May 2023.
Emrys, Ruthanna. “The Perfect Retort, 90 Years Later: The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaValle.” Tor.com, 17 Feb. 2016. www.tor.com/2016/02/17/book-reviews-later-the-ballad-of-black-tom-by-victor-lavalle/. Accessed 25 May 2023.
Thornton, Jonathan. “The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaValle.” The Fantasy Hive, 2017. www.fantasy-hive.co.uk/2017/12/the-ballad-of-black-tom-by-victor-lavalle/
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