“The Wife of His Youth” by Charles W Chesnutt
Discussion Questions for “The Wife of His Youth” explores themes of identity, migration, and dislocation from one’s past and heritage through the protagonist of Mr. Ryder, a mixed-race “mulatto” man who enters into the prominent ranks of the northern black elite (“The Blue Vein Society”) and must choose between a future of high social standing and the reality of his past. Consider these questions about the story “The Wife of His Youth”:
Directions: Answer the questions using textual evidence and on a separate sheet of paper or your notes. We will discuss the answers and text in class.
1. What is the “Blue Vein Society?” What are their values? What role do they believe they play in the contrasting social classes of whites and blacks?
2. At one point, Mr. Ryder declares: “Self-preservation is the first law of nature.” What does this motto mean to you? How does it relate to the Blue Veins’ social values and their construction of the social “color line”?
3. Mr. Ryder intends to propose to Molly Dixon, identifying her “many attractive qualities.” Among these qualities are her young age, “refined manners,” wealthy inheritance, light skin, and high level of education. Why do you think these qualities make Mr. Ryder finally “wish to change his condition to that of a married man?” How do they align with Ryder’s own values and personal qualities? Is his intention based more on social values, personal attraction, or both?
4. Do you sense that Chesnutt identifies or sympathizes with Mr. Ryder?
5. Mr. Ryder claims that he has no “race prejudice.” Based on his character and his ultimate decision to embrace Liza Jane as his wife, do you believe this to be true?
6. Do you think Mr. Ryder knew his decision to introduce Liza Jane as his estranged wife before the ball? Or did he decide to act upon hearing the thoughts and opinions of his fellow Blue Veins? How does the timing of his decision impact your perception of it? Was it a brave and moral decision or a calculated move?
7. Discuss the contrast in characterization between Ryder and Liza Jane. Where do their most significant differences lie? How does Ryder’s reaction to Liza Jane reveal his feelings toward the ethical dilemma she represents?
8.Liza Jane insists that her long-lost husband Sam has “be’n hunting’ fer me all dese years” and that she would easily recognize him in a crowd of a hundred. What is Chesnutt’s intention in the ironic exchanges between Mr. Ryder and Liza Jane? Which is more significant: Liza Jane’s undying faith or Mr. Ryder’s social evolution? Do you believe Mr. Ryder ever truly attempted to find his estranged wife?
9. Mr.RyderrecitestheclassicShakespeareanlinewhenexplaininghisdilemmato the Blue Veins: “‘This above all: to thine own self be true.’” How does this compare to his earlier declaration that “Self-preservation is the first law of nature”?
10. Discuss the idea of marriage and its meaning to Ryder; how does his previous marriage to Liza Jane compare to his intentions to marry Molly Dixon? What are the differences in these two unions and how has perception of the role of a wife changed to Ryder over time?
11. How do you think Ryder’s choice to not marry over the last 25 years relates to his relationship with Liza Jane?
Directions: Answer the questions using textual evidence and on a separate sheet of paper or your notes. We will discuss the answers and text in class.
1. What is the “Blue Vein Society?” What are their values? What role do they believe they play in the contrasting social classes of whites and blacks?
2. At one point, Mr. Ryder declares: “Self-preservation is the first law of nature.” What does this motto mean to you? How does it relate to the Blue Veins’ social values and their construction of the social “color line”?
3. Mr. Ryder intends to propose to Molly Dixon, identifying her “many attractive qualities.” Among these qualities are her young age, “refined manners,” wealthy inheritance, light skin, and high level of education. Why do you think these qualities make Mr. Ryder finally “wish to change his condition to that of a married man?” How do they align with Ryder’s own values and personal qualities? Is his intention based more on social values, personal attraction, or both?
4. Do you sense that Chesnutt identifies or sympathizes with Mr. Ryder?
5. Mr. Ryder claims that he has no “race prejudice.” Based on his character and his ultimate decision to embrace Liza Jane as his wife, do you believe this to be true?
6. Do you think Mr. Ryder knew his decision to introduce Liza Jane as his estranged wife before the ball? Or did he decide to act upon hearing the thoughts and opinions of his fellow Blue Veins? How does the timing of his decision impact your perception of it? Was it a brave and moral decision or a calculated move?
7. Discuss the contrast in characterization between Ryder and Liza Jane. Where do their most significant differences lie? How does Ryder’s reaction to Liza Jane reveal his feelings toward the ethical dilemma she represents?
8.Liza Jane insists that her long-lost husband Sam has “be’n hunting’ fer me all dese years” and that she would easily recognize him in a crowd of a hundred. What is Chesnutt’s intention in the ironic exchanges between Mr. Ryder and Liza Jane? Which is more significant: Liza Jane’s undying faith or Mr. Ryder’s social evolution? Do you believe Mr. Ryder ever truly attempted to find his estranged wife?
9. Mr.RyderrecitestheclassicShakespeareanlinewhenexplaininghisdilemmato the Blue Veins: “‘This above all: to thine own self be true.’” How does this compare to his earlier declaration that “Self-preservation is the first law of nature”?
10. Discuss the idea of marriage and its meaning to Ryder; how does his previous marriage to Liza Jane compare to his intentions to marry Molly Dixon? What are the differences in these two unions and how has perception of the role of a wife changed to Ryder over time?
11. How do you think Ryder’s choice to not marry over the last 25 years relates to his relationship with Liza Jane?
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