Blue+Dive



The last chapter in Fred Chappell's //Moments of Light//, "Blue Dive" tells the story of a man named Stovebolt Johnson. Stovebolt arrives in town looking for a man by the name of Pointy Childress, a man who runs a roadhouse called the Blue Dive. Pointy promised that he could give Stovebolt a job as a musician. However, when Stovebolt visits the house he believes to belong to Pointy, the man is nowhere to be found. The owners of the house give him a ride to the bar, where Stovebolt captivates patrons with his finger-picking skills. But with Pointy gone, Stovebolt has to convince the new owner that he is worthy of hire. Locklear “Hawk” Hawkins is a pompous, racist man who is not easily persuaded. Hawk has no qualms about insulting Stovebolt and his music, however, instead of making the decision himself, Hawk gives him the opportunity to play for the folks in the bar. Ultimately, Hawk decides Stovebolt’s fate.

**Words to Know** Sambo — a racial term for someone of African heritage; often used offensively. Rastus — a stereotype of the jolly, former slave; a highly offensive name for African Americans males used by white people.


 * Theory Analysis:**

In //Blue Dive// by Fred Chappell there is little mention of race but that is due in part to the fact that most characters appear to be black. When race is mentioned, it is usually in reference to how dark/light one’s skin is. The marginalized character in this story is Stovebolt, the ex-con protagonist who seeks a job at a roadside juke-joint but faces opposition by Mr. Hawkins, the owner. What Hawkins represents in this story is mainly opposition to the dark skinned Stovebolt but he also represents society’s bias against those who have been imprisoned. He oppresses him by duping him into thinking there is a chance in him getting the position.

Black has several meanings in this text. For Stovebolt, it is to understand the history of his people and what they have overcome. For him, being black and being a convict equals the ultimate oppression, for both are the reason Mr. Hawkins does not give him the job ultimately promised to him. The dominant hegemony is operated for and by those who are lighter skinned. That is to say that those who were described as being lighter in skin tone (read: closer to white) had more power and used that power to control those who were darker skinned. In this story, Mr. Hawkins symbolizes the dominant hegemony. Stovebolt is the marginalized character and he is aware of it. However, he does not walk away entirely defeated, saying that one of them is “behind the times” but cautioning Hawkins that said person might just be himself.

Language is also an important part of this piece, for it ties everything together. Stovebolt’s tie to his African roots exists in the fact that he plays blues music with the help of his guitar. The music he plays reflects the history of the African American people and their sufferings. It is because of this connection with the language and the way he reacts to situations in the story that Stovebolt is who speaks for blacks in the story. He gives them a voice. There are characters that are marginalized through silence, namely Darlene. For starters, she is a woman and as such already has less of a voice. However, prior to her husband BJ entering the story she attempts speaking and tries to help Stovebolt. It is after her husband enters the picture that her and her opinions are pushed to the side with complete disregard.