The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman Group

Question:

conductorwoman
conductorwoman
Teacher
Middle School

In Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman, Miss Lilly finds two children hanging in sacks in a tree and being smoked by their parents. Why was this done?

I can't find any folk remedy online. I have no clue and my students want to know.

Chapter 30

Rate question:

Posted by conductorwoman on Monday June 2, 2008 at 6:22 PM and tagged with chapter 30, characters, miss lilly, plot, the autobiography of miss jane pittman.

Answers:


  1. dymatsuoka

    eNotes Editor

    I believe that being "smoked" is a disciplinary measure that was being used by Oscar, the father of Tee Bo and Tee Lo.  Apparently, the boys had sassed their elders, because when Miss Lilly  storms over to Oscar, Viney, and Aunt Julie and demands, "...is y'all crazy?", the only thing anyone says in explanation is, "no business sassing old people".  Miss Lilly responds, "You whip children when they sassy old people, you don't smoke them".

    It would appear that "smoking" children may have been a method of discipline bordering on child abuse.  Even back then, when whipping a child was acceptable, Viney warns Oscar to be careful, because "the law (is) on (Miss Lilly's) side".  Whether the law would support Miss Lilly by virtue of her position as a teacher or because of the barbarity of the punishment is not clear.  Oscar, however, is unfazed, and bodily removes Miss Lilly from his property.  When Miss Lilly turns to the plantation owner, Robert Samson, for help, he advises her "to stick to her teaching and let people raise their children the way they wanted to" (Chapter 30).

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/autobiography-miss/
    http://www.enotes.com/autobiography-miss/other-characters
    http://www.enotes.com/autobiography-miss/summary

    Rate answer:

    Posted by dymatsuoka on Monday June 2, 2008 at 9:54 PM