Cora Unashamed

“She worked for the Studevants, who treated her like a dog. She stood it. Had to stand it; or work for poorer white folks who would treat her worse; or go jobless.”

This line establishes one of the story’s themes: African Americans’ perceived dependence on white society for survival. It also establishes the initial state in Cora’s character arc, her belief in this dependence. Cora spends most of her life responding with humility to the unjust way in which the Studevant family treats her. With society’s marginalization of Black people, she doesn’t think she has the resources to get by on her own.

“One by one, the girls left too, mostly in disgrace. ‘Ruinin’ ma name,’ Pa Jenkins said, ‘ruinin’ ma good name! They can’t go out berryin’ but what they come back in disgrace.’ There was something about the cream-and-tan Jenkins girls that attracted the white farmhands.”

This line carries multiple layers of meaning and relevance to the concept of shame. Its euphemistic implication about white farmhands impregnating Cora’s sisters glosses over the possibility of rape. Sexual exploitation of Black women by white men is an acknowledged historical reality. Pa’s comment demonstrates how women may be revictimized as they are judged for what happened to them, even by their own community and their own family. This helps set the tone for the story and serves as social commentary.

“Cora didn’t go anywhere to have her child. Nor tried to hide it. When the baby grew big within her, she didn’t feel that it was a disgrace. The Studevants told her to go home and stay there. Joe left town. Pa cussed. Ma cried.”

Also relevant to the thematic concept of shame, this line demonstrates how everyone besides Cora sees the birth of her baby as a shameful thing. It sets Cora apart as unique and positions her as the hero of a story that critiques society’s values.