The passing of grandison summary

The Passing of Grandison

“The Passing of Grandison” is about a lazy and cynical young son of a rich man and an heir to a large plantation in Kentucky. He is too eager and ambitious to win Charity Lomax, something that he is determined to accomplish at whatever cost. As a way of proving his heroics to Charity, he resolves to steal one of his father's slave, whereby he plans to go and set him free in Canada. He moves away with Grandison, whom he gives plenty of personal freedom including taking him to Canada where slaves are legally free. However, despite giving him numerous chances to chances to escape, Grandison stays loyal and never attempts escaping. This pushes Dick to have him kidnapped. Days after Dick returns home in Kentucky, Grandison shows up in very bad condition and he is wholeheartedly welcomed by Colonel whom he rewarded by being allowed to Betty, a slave girl he is in love with.

The passing of Grandison is highly satirical. It exposes the many stereotypes held by Southern whites. For example, there is a deeply sited stereotype among them that blacks understand their inferiority to their masters and the white race in general. The stereotype is so deep such that that Southern whites, as represented by Colonel, believe that blacks people prefer slavery. However, the blacks, as represented by Grandison, completely shatter this stereotype when he provides to be a clever and highly knowledgeable engineer of his and his family's freedom.

He manages to trick and outwit both Dick and Colonel by presenting himself as a content and ignorant slave who is ready to remain under slavery for eternity. He repeatedly proves his "loyalty" to his master with the sole goal of gaining the trust of his master which he finally achieves. In so doing, he manages to archive his and his family freedom from slavery. It is ironical how a slave, person who barely has any level of education, manages to so wittingly trick his masters.

The story also reveals the hypocritical nature of white landowners particularly through the character of Colonel and some extent, his son Dick. The hypocrisy of the white resonates through Colonel's character after learning about Dick's escape that was led by Grandison. He also of a sudden loses every sentiment towards slaves yet before the incident he portrayed the relationship between him and slaves as one that is founded on respect, friendly, and mutually beneficial (Chesnutt, 1899). He reduces them to nothing more than valuable property that should be protected and if any is lost, every effort must be put to recover it. The narrator manages to expose the hypocrisy held by Southern whites.

It is surprising how the narrative ends amusingly. It is surprising how Grandson escapes not only slavery but also the clutches of Northern abolitionists. He is portrayed as a sharp man who makes wise decisions. He makes his way to his master at the old plantation back to his family and friends. In addition, Grandson is the unselfish man who not minds his own welfare but also that of others. His patience and commitment to purpose finally bore fruit which is a complete contrast to Dick's self-centered, absurd and cynical purposes. In a nutshell, he is driven by both necessity and ambition why see him accomplish his dreams.

- your paper basically tells the story. You include very little analysis and no quotes from the story. Please look at the criteria on the rubric that is attached to the end of your assignment. Also, if you take information from another source, you must cite that source also. You need to try to work this up again using quotes from the stories and including a strong thesis statement without simply repeating the action of the story for the most part.

Reference

Chesnutt, C. (1899). The passing of Grandison. The wife of his youth and other stories of the color line, 1968-168.

EN220 Essay Grading Rubric 57%

Title 10% 4

A Creative, original, draws the reader in

B Lacks originality but has some interest

C Simply renames the topic or the assignment

D Title does not relate to the essays

F No title

Thesis/Focus 20% 10

A Paper has a thesis that is limited and focused and takes a position. Stated in introduction and is supported in the essay.

B Paper has a clear focus that is limited and that may or may not take a position.

C Paper has a too broad, too general focus for length of paper.

D Unclear vague and lacks focus.

F No thesis statement or focus.

Structure and Development 40% 20

A Excellent quality and variety of evidence. Structure logically supports introduction, thesis, evidence, and conclusion. Analysis, not plot.

B All paragraphs have evidence related to the thesis. Too much plot summary at the expense of analysis. And no real thesis.

C Some paragraphs have evidence related to the thesis. Has some logical structure but introduction and conclusion are too plot driven.

D All paragraphs lack sufficient evidence related to the thesis. No analysis.

F No evidence provided. No analysis.

Quotations, Summarizing, Paraphrasing, MLA 15% 8

A At least two quotations (in correct MLA style) that enhance the paper. Quotations are explained. NO PLAGIARISM

B Missing one quotation or incorrectly formatted. NO PLAGIARISM

C Either missing quotations, or they do not further the paper’s thesis. Evidence of some plagiarism.

D Lacking quotations or quotations are not related to the thesis. Increasing plagiarism.

F No quotations. Obvious plagiarism.

Grammar/Punctuation 15% 15

A Use of grammar and punctuation enhances paper.

B Grammar and punctuation basically correct

C Several errors in grammar and punctuation.

D Multiple errors in grammar and punctuation

F Unreadable due to grammatical errors throughout the paper

EN220 Essay Grading Rubric

Title 10%

A Creative, original, draws the reader in

B Lacks originality but has some interest

C Simply renames the topic or the assignment

D Title does not relate to the essays

F No title

Thesis/Focus 20%

A Paper has a thesis that is limited and focused and takes a position. Stated in introduction and is supported in the essay.

B Paper has a clear focus that is limited and that may or may not take a position.

C Paper has a too broad, too general focus for length of paper.

D Unclear vague and lacks focus.

F No thesis statement or focus.

Structure and Development 40%

A Excellent quality and variety of evidence. Structure logically supports introduction, thesis, evidence, and conclusion. Analysis, not plot.

B All paragraphs have evidence related to the thesis. Too much plot summary at the expense of analysis.

C Some paragraphs have evidence related to the thesis. Has some logical structure but introduction and conclusion are too plot driven.

D All paragraphs lack sufficient evidence related to the thesis. No analysis.

F No evidence provided. No analysis.

Quotations, Summarizing, Paraphrasing, MLA 15%

A At least two quotations (in correct MLA style) that enhance the paper. Quotations are explained. NO PLAGIARISM

B Missing one quotation or incorrectly formatted. NO PLAGIARISM

C Either missing quotations, or they do not further the paper’s thesis. Evidence of some plagiarism.

D Lacking quotations or quotations are not related to the thesis. Increasing plagiarism.

F No quotations. Obvious plagiarism.

Grammar/Punctuation 15%

A Use of grammar and punctuation enhances paper.

B Grammar and punctuation basically correct

C Several errors in grammar and punctuation.

D Multiple errors in grammar and punctuation

F Unreadable due to grammatical errors throughout the paper