According to Rolston (2018), Edward Jones’s stories, mainly Old Boys, Old Girls, reflect how institutions and social circumstances shape the life and struggles of the African American male ex-convicts. Indeed, by portraying the life of Caesar Matthews, Edward Jones’ stories give insight into the African-American individuals’ criminal record complicate their further attempts to reintegrate into society. Firstly, in Old Boys, Old Girls, the author portrays the violent nature of the prison where people would kill for a cigarette (Jones, 2004). Such violence and aggression can have a profound effect on inmates’ mindsets even after their release. Secondly, the scene where Caesar’s sister suspects him of harming her daughter alludes to how even the closest people, a family member, can have a bias towards ex-convicts (Jones, 2004). Such prejudice has a significant negative impact on ex-convicts such as Caesar. He, for instance, in this case, was profoundly disappointed since he had sincere brother love and care for his sister’s daughter (Jones, 2004). Lastly, the fact that Caesar was not necessarily an immoral person indicates that convicted individuals are not inherently evil in the vast majority of cases. Caesar’s care for Yvonne after her death and his dedication to earn fair money reflect that he was not simply a cold-blooded murderer (Jones, 2004). However, due to such popular perceptions of ex-offenders, the latter suffer from reintegrating into society.
References
Jones, E. P. (2004). Old boys, old girls.
Rolston, S. (2018). Shame and the ex-convict: The New Jim Crow, African American Literature, and Edward P. Jones’s “Old boys, old girls.” Canadian Review of American Studies, 48(1), 95–119.