The Third Life of Grange Copeland Summary
Alice Walker

The Third Life of Grange Copeland Summary

Manhood is a pervasive theme. In the first scene between father and son after Brownfield's release from prison, Grange articulates a definition of manhood that stresses responsibility for one's actions.

Grange regrets that he had attempted to assert his manliness by using Josie and abandoning his wife. In his third life, Grange redefines manliness in terms of devotion to wife and children and a commitment to fulfilling one's family responsibilities in spite of racial oppression. He articulates the main theme of the novel: the importance of taking responsibility for one's actions. But the racist context of the novel exposes this solution as oversimplified. At key points Walker reminds us that white racists control institutions and prevent African-Ameri cans from enjoying power or privilege and that whites take no responsibility for their unjust behavior. Therefore, no matter how responsible African-Americans themselves are, their access to wealth will be restricted...

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