A Gathering of Old Men

A GATHERING OF OLD MEN by Ernest J. Gaines is referred to by many as one of the best-written novels on Southern race relations in over 20 years. This story, which takes place in Louisiana during the 1970's, is about how one young white woman and 18 very old black men toting 12-gauge shot guns take a stand to protect a member of their community from some Klansmen who want nothing better than to take the law into their own hands. Beau Boutan, a mean spirited and hateful Cajun farmer, has been shot and killed by a black member of the community. To ensure that this person lives long enough to face a fair trial for the murder, 18 old men stand vigil with their guns, until they are satisfied that the law will be carried out properly. The real dilemma that Sheriff Mapes face upon dealing with these men, is determining which one of them really committed the crime. No amount of bullying and slapping around of them reveals the killer. In fact as each man is questioned, their account of injustices and hatred done to them by Beau Boutan and others like him in the community, made them all justified in killing this man. Still, the law is the law, and killing someone is against the law. Just when it seems a confession is near, this story takes a very surprising turn that no one in this small Southern community expects or will ever forget.
It saddens me to hear some reviewers of this story say that if Gaines had written this book today, the "race factor" would probably not have been there; and therefore, the real meaning of this book would have been lost. It is obvious that these folks either have no idea what black life is like in the South, or, they're in serious denial about race relations in America's past and/or present as a whole. I simply hope that those who read this book don't miss out on the fact that this was a story about change and hope. For the first time, these 18 old men who have been submissive all their lives to abuse and racism, finally find the courage to take a stand for what is right. For them, this becomes "their first taste of power" and a passing from the old to the new South.