A Gathering of Old Men | Topics & Themes

A Gathering of Old Men Thematic Overview

All of Gaines's fiction has, as an overarching theme, the place of the characters in their society. This theme encompasses the lives of the people within the strata of the society, within the area in which they live, and within the family circle, whether that family circle involves blood relations or adopted relations. The theme of father-son relationships is expanded to include father-daughter relationships. Change with all the upheaval it brings is a theme that grows as the story progresses. A way of life is passing as a generation passes; a generation involving all the levels of the society included in the narrative.

If these men were young, this would be a classic coming-of-age story. But the sharecroppers have waited until they are old to find the manhood hiding within them.

Chimley and Mat wonder why they have waited until they are old to become brave....
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