Blues Ain't No Mockingbird

by Toni Cade Bambara

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Student Question

Was it unfair of Grandaddy Cain to expose the film in "Blues Ain't No Mockingbird"?

Quick answer:

Grandaddy Cain's actions in exposing the film can be seen as justified because the camera crew trespassed on private property and filmed without permission, despite Granny's clear refusal. By dismantling the camera, Grandaddy asserts the family's right to privacy and autonomy. The cameraman's compliance in handing over the camera further suggests an acknowledgment of wrongdoing. Thus, Grandaddy's actions defend the family's dignity and boundaries against unwanted intrusion.

Expert Answers

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Since such a question as this is subjective, the student should express his/her own feelings based upon the student's character analysis of Granddaddy and Granny, as well as on an interpretation of the events of the plot.

Of course, one opinion is that Granddaddy is justified in his actions because the camera man and "smilin' man," who work for some department of the government, have been previously told by Granny that she does not want them filming anything on her property:

"Mind if we shoot a bit around here?"
"I do indeed," said Granny with no smile.....
"Suppose you just shut that machine off, said Granny through her teeth.

After Granddaddy arrives with the bloody hawk on his shoulder, "Smilin' and Camera" go behind him recording what he is doing. Then, Granny calls to her husband to "Get them persons out of my flower bed," an expression which may mean more than it seems. Still, Granddaddy continues what he is doing until he hears Granny making a "low groanin music." Responding to this sign of his wife's outrage, he turns and holds out his huge hand. Smilin' whispers to the camera man that Granddaddy wants him to hand him the camera. 

For whatever reason, perhaps because of his formidable presence, the camera man does give Granddaddy the camera, and then the huge hands take the camera apart, exposing the film. When asked why he has done this, Granddaddy replies, 

"You standin in the misses' flower bed....This is our own place."

Since the men are (1) trespassing, and (2) the camera man has willingly handed the camera to Granddaddy after disregarding denied permission, an argument can be made that he is justified in exposing the film as these men have invaded the privacy of personal property owners and filmed them without their permission.

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