Ashton Knott
March 26, 2015
Essay
A famous man once said, “Conflict is drama, and how people deal with conflict shows
you the kind of people they are.” This famous man is Stephen Moyer. I agree that Cassie Logan
from the novel Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor has been the character who
was most affected by conflict. I think the quote above is good advice for Cassie. Throughout the
entire novel, Cassie has dealt with conflicts with characters like Miz Crocker, T.J., and Lillian
Jean with revenge and worst behaviors.
The first conflict Cassie encountered was when she stood up for Little Man at school
when they got the old books with offensive words written inside of the book. This affected
Cassie because this is the point when she began to notice how unfair African-Americans were
treated during this time. This made Cassie feel angry. On page-26, the text exclaimed,-“Miz
Crocker, don’t please!” I cried. Miz Crocker’s dark eyes warned me not to say another word. “I
know why he done it.” “You want part of this switch, Cassie?” Although Little Man was also
involved in the same conflict, he was only angry for a short period of time. He got over it
quickly. But, Cassie on the other hand held on to her anger and continued to see injustice all
around her.
The next conflict was encountered by Mr. Barnett when Cassie, T.J., and Stacey were in
line with a list of food and Mr. Barnett went on to the little girl and took her order. Cassie was
affected because Mr. Barnett took the little girls order, when Cassie, T.J., and Stacey were before
her and she felt like that was wrong so she said something to Mr. Barnett, then she got kicked out
of the store. Cassie felt like it was wrong of Mr. Barnett to skip Cassie and go to the little girl.
On page-111, the novel said,-“Uh…’scuse me, Mr. Barnett,” I said as politely as I could, waiting
a moment for him to look up from his wrapping. “I think you forgot, but you was waiting on us
‘fore you was waiting on this girl here.” I think T.J. was involved in the conflict because Mr.
Barnett skipped them and went to the little girl, when Cassie said something to Mr. Barnett; he
kicked them out of the store.
The last conflict was encountered by Cassie when she bumped into Lillian Jean on the
sidewalk , then Lillian Jean made Cassie get into the road and apologize to her. Cassie had
planned revenge on to beat Lillian Jean up. Cassie was affected because she bumped into Lillian
Jean on an accident and Lillian Jean got all serious and made Cassie get down in the road, and
apologize for no reason. Cassie felt proud of herself for planning revenge and eating her up, but
on the other hand she was fearful with Lillian Jean. On page-180, the text explained ,- “For the
record, she had hit me first; I didn’t plan on her hitting me again.” I think Lillian Jean was
involved in the conflict. Lillian Jean made Cassie get down in the road and apologize for
accidently bumping into her.
I think that Mr. Barnett should’ve never skipped Cassie, T.J., and Stacey, or kick them
out of the store. I think Miz Crocker should’ve never got mad at Little Man. I also think that
Lillian Jean should’ve never made Cassie get down in the road and apologize. This is why I think
Cassie has been affect the most by conflicts in the novel Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry.