Ieshia Booker
January 25, 2015
English 1001
Wideman Our Time
John Edgar Wideman, Our Time was an explanatory essay that explained his life story. His story
was told through his brother Robby. John explains his lifestyle, where he grew up and where his life all
began. John describes the neighborhoods, crimes, brotherhood, death and family. Through his essay he
mentioned a lot of characters such as himself, Robby, his mother, John French, Garth and many others.
Out of all the characters that he listed in his essay I decided to choose to talk about John’s mother and
retell her story. John’s mother was a powerful woman. She took over so many challenges and with her
son Robby she had no choice but to overcome them and make the best living for her family. John’s
mother speaks for all the mothers that have a families to take care of. John’s mother attitude is
determined by the way she acts, how she speaks, how she view things and what she’s thinking.
John’s mother was the daughter of John French. She has fair skin, redbone complexion and fine
hair that was pasted down to her from her grandfather. John’s mother was a French girl, African
Methodist Episcopal Zion Sunday church girl and was raised in Homewood. She was gentle style in the
way she spoke, thought, and moved on in the world. She felt strongly about things but she isn’t very
sociable about her feelings. Whoever she talked to she had a gentle tone and conversation with them.
She believe in mutual respect and getting to know people. Most of the time in her home to people
would say “there’s John French’s daughter. John’s mother paid extreme detail to roaches, or poverty or
the weather. She doesn’t take public tests. She was very socially awkward. But she was just like
everyone else about paying taxes, certain politicians, seeing who cared about her society and the why
people get away from murder so easy. She watches a lot of news and paid close attention and it starts to
corrupt her mind and scare her. Throughout all the things she’d see or hear, she always believed in God
that everything happens for a reason.
John’s mom is well rounded mother. Everything she’s done for her family was the best
intention. She’s always worried about Robby because he always come and go. She pours of his fears
about Robby’s whereabouts because she never knows when he will ever return. She just wishes that he
would return home and she would carry him upstairs, tuck him, and kiss him on his forehead. Because of
all the unhappiness she goes through, John can always identify his mother’s grief. Times that they would
sit and talk, she would tell him the worst of how she really felt. John’s mom has known Garth for years,
but ever since she talk to Robby about Garth’s death, she thinks the worst now. She was afraid more
than ever now. But after she had talk to Robby, she started to change. She starts to become suspicious
but she became more exemplify to any tolerance and patience.
John’s mother was blessed to give birth to a baby boy on December 29, 1950. During that
ending of the year there was so many tragic things happening from her parents pasting away to losing a
grandchild. When comes time to that year John’s mother starts to get depressed and in her own little
world. She also becomes scared and think she’s a jinx during this time of the year. But since Robby’s
birthday is right have Christmas his mother gives him the gifts that trickle down from the holiday onto
his birthday. After all the tragedy she starts to think that Robby wouldn’t make it to end of the year.
Through all of his crime that he does she still cares for him.
John’s mother became aware of what Robby has become after Garth’s death. From time to
time, Robby began to act out. She knew that Robby was up to no good. She tried moving to new
neighborhoods and schools but Robby always found his way acting up in some way. She started to
notice that Robby would steal money at his mother’s purse to feed his addiction. But Robby knew
whatever he did his mother’s love would never change nor go away. After Garth’s death and Robby’s
troubles she began to be racialized and aggressive. She knew that Robby facts of his crime was robbery,
murder, flight and he was an outlaw. Then there were the other side to guard the society, the laws,
polices, judges, and all the people that were in charge of punishing her son. She could never get in the
middle of the two sides. She wants to be on Robby’s side but she know that Robby committed those
crimes. She chose to fight with him and his battles together because she was his mother. As she’s by his
side she realize what Robby has done but she accepts his guilt, and necessary punishment. Even though
she’s there for him, she can’t prevent the punishment that they may give him. She believed in “Fair”
punishment and understands that his dues have to be paid.
John’s mother attitude is determined by the way she acts, how she speaks, how she view things
and what she’s thinking. Wideman’s Essay Our Time was very heartfelt and informational to me. I
enjoyed this essay. I love how Wideman’s talks about every character individually. He tells what they like
and what they don’t like and how their feeling about certain things or their personally thoughts. Every
character that is mentioned gives you an illustrated picture of what their life is about. This essay really
draws in your attention into the story. I think that anybody would enjoy this essay.