If He Hollers Let Him Go

Critique Bob Jones’s perception of women in If He Hollers Let Him Go. How does Bob’s understanding of race shape his perceptions of and interactions with women? How do Bob’s experiences with different women shape his views of racial inequality?

Living in a racist society complicates Bob Jones’ material reality, or the conditions of his everyday life—like where he lives, what kind of job he is able to have, how much money he makes, where he is allowed to be served as a patron. But living in these conditions also influences Bob’s psychological well-being. How is Bob’s psychological condition—his incessant fear, for example—shaped or created by the material conditions of his life?

Examine the role of class in shaping Bob Jones’s experiences with and perceptions of racial discrimination and inequality. How are Bob’s experiences throughout the book different from upper-class people, and how does this affect his feelings about his own race?