illustration of a fire spreading through a field

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry

by Mildred D. Taylor

Start Free Trial

Student Question

What does Mr. Morrison say about the Christmas when he was six and his family died?

Quick answer:

Mr. Morrison recounts a traumatic Christmas when he was six, during which his family was murdered by a white mob that attacked their home. The mob, indifferent to human life, killed indiscriminately. Mr. Morrison highlights his family's strength, bred by slave owners for labor, and their love, which fueled their resistance. Despite their valiant fight, his parents were killed, leaving him with a vivid memory of their love and humanity amidst brutality.

Expert Answers

An illustration of the letter 'A' in a speech bubbles

This conversation takes place in Chapter 7 and is a significant one. It reveals not only how horrible the violence and murders were, but also how Mr. Morrison's family was decidedly human despite being treated like they weren't.

Let's take a look at that section. Not the whole thing—it's quite long—but let's go over the most important parts.

First, after describing how two scared teenage boys had come to his family's house looking for protection against a mob of angry white people, Mr. Morrison says:

"But my daddy didn't hardly have time to finish hearing them boys' story when them devilish night men swept down."

He means the white mob coming to punish those teenage boys. Describing how the men burst into the house and start trying to kill everyone in it, not caring who, he continues:

"We warn't nothing to them. No better than dogs. Kilt babies and old...

Unlock
This Answer Now

Start your 48-hour free trial and get ahead in class. Boost your grades with access to expert answers and top-tier study guides. Thousands of students are already mastering their assignments—don't miss out. Cancel anytime.

Get 48 Hours Free Access

women. Didn't matter."

We find out then why Mr. Morrison and his father are so physically strong:

"My folks was bred for strength like they folks and they grand- folks 'fore 'em."

What he means is that the white families who owned Mr. Morrison and his parents and grandparents purposefully "bred" their slaves to create stronger and stronger generations of them, which is good for the slave-owners because the labor can get done faster and better. It's a horrible thing that we find out: again, the slave-owners are treating the slaves like dogs (by "breeding" them).

As he concludes his story, Mr. Morrison asserts that during this attack, his parents were, as always, filled with love for the family and that this love gave them strength to fight back:

"But my mama and daddy they loved each other and they loved us children, and that Christmas they fought them demons out of hell like avenging angels of the Lord."

They lost that fight, though, and were murdered. Mr. Morrison emphasizes that he does remember that horrible event, despite being only six years old. Then he leaves.

So, from Mr. Morrison's story, we learn not only how his family was murdered and why, but also how he asserts his humanity: his family's love, strength, and unwillingness to be put down without a fight.

Approved by eNotes Editorial