Ralph Ellison a Party Down at the Square

Ralph Ellison "A Party Down at the Square"

In the short story, "A Party Down at the Square," by Ralph Ellison, a very sad piece of history is illustrated. Ellison wrote about the first time he had witnessed a lynching as a youth. In those days, lynchings were town events, as it was in this case and even called "a party." This type of event not only involved just about the entire community, but it also silenced those who wanted to speak out or be kept in their "place."

There was one central theme developed within Ellison's story. Through showing how just about an entire community had gathered in the town square for a "party," a tradition of hate was illustrated. It was evident that this type of behavior has been accepted for generations. Not only did a "...bunch of men [come] by [his] Uncle's house," but once at the square Ellison "...counted forty cars before he [lost] count..." And he could tell that people from other towns were there by the "cars mixed in with the wagons." (228-29)

Secondly, Ellison recounted how the crowd is fixated on the man they're about to lynch. Despite the fact a plane almost crashed through the town square and a storm was brewing, the onlookers did not scattered totally. They hung around in order to see the African-American perish. Even though Ellison had "...had enough [and]...didn't want to see anymore..." he stayed right where he was. (232) The crowd seemed to be such a focal point in this story. Although the man to be lynched was referenced, the crowd and the things that happened to it as the night progresses seemed to take precedence.

This theme was also reflected in two poems called, "Night, Death, Mississippi," by Robert Hayden and "Jasper Texas 1998," by Lucille Clifton. Both poets dealt with a tradition of hate. Hayden used a family in order to describe a lynching. As one read his work, it was clear that each member of the family had a part in the lynching whether they were actually there or at home. As one reads the old man's reminiscing, each family member's role becomes evident. Since the old man would, "Be there with the Boy and the rest / If I was well again," he will then celebrate with a bottle upon his son's return, and "Ma" and the children will help wash the blood off "Paw's" hands. (Hayden) In addition to that, there was no need for a crowd. By seeing the lynching through the eyes of a family, the crowd element was displayed.