The Autobiography of Jane Pittman- Reflection on Book 2

One Voice that Speaks for Everyone  

Ned (from the film version)

            The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman, by Ernest J. Gaines, is divided in four books. Book two, specifically, focuses on the deaths of the most important people in Jane’s life, her husband (Joe Pittman) and her adoptive son, Ned.

Jane and Joe Pittman (from the film version)

However, the character that stood out in book two and impacted me the most was Ned. He reminded me of who Martin Luther King Jr. was for the black community in the 1960’s. As the website “History” indicates, King was “a civil rights activist who was the leading force behind the withdrawal of segregation laws in the 1960's” (if you want to know more about Martin Luther King Jr. click here). In the same manner, Ned was trying to give the black community in the 1900’s, the education they deserved. Both of them died because they wanted to make the world a better place for every race and individual. In fact, Ned even knew that he was going to die, because he told Jane “I’m go’n to die, Mama” to which Jane commented that “he had no fear of death” (Gaines 112).

It’s extremely admirable that a person is willing to die, in order to, protect and defend minorities who don’t have a voice. Nevertheless, I felt the desperation that Jane was feeling by knowing that Ned, one of the most important people in her life, was willing to die and wasn’t going to let anyone stop him. Not only that, in book two the reader can notice the difference in Ned’s character. He portrayed himself as a more outspoken and powerful person. In other words, he was not the little boy who barely spoke in book one. He had grown up to be a strong and caring man, or as Jane described him: “He was a great big man now. Powerfully built: broad shoulders, thick neck” (Gaines 99). Therefore, even though Jane noticed his physical growth, the reader can perceive his maturity and emotional growth through his actions as a teacher and leader.

            In conclusion, in book two, of the many things that happened to Jane, I believe that what the author emphasized the most was Ned’s heroicness. Likewise, what impacted me the most was Ned’s determination and compromise with the black community.