A Gathering of Old Men | Social Sensitivity

A Gathering of Old Men Social Sensitivity

The world of Ernest Gaines is Louisiana from the Civil War to the social changes of the 1960s and 1970s. He is particularly concerned about race, social class, and the desire for creative development for all. Although he is primarily concerned with the plight of black people, particularly men in this novel, he is also concerned about the Cajuns and whites in his novels and short stories. We take racially mixed football teams for granted now, but it is not that long ago when Alabama and LSU had all-white teams. The salt and pepper backfield for LSU in A Gathering of Old Men is a reason to celebrate, just as old black people remember with pleasure the victories in the ring of Joe Louis or the superb play of Jackie Rob inson for the Dodgers. These may seem like small victories for American culture, but they are victories nonetheless.