Student Question
Who is the imperative phrase in the title Understand This directed to?
Quick answer:
Understand This might address readers who want to simplify the novel into a tidy genre or type. By employing multiple perspectives, Jervey Tervalon wants us to understand that you can't generalize marginalized, oppressed communities. These communities have as much individuality as any other kind. You could also consider how Tervalon is cautioning us about the imperative of understanding. Think about the conversation between Margot and Ann in the car. How might understanding be overemphasized?
What does it mean to understand something? It seems to mean that you can explain or articulate whatever that something is. For example, if you understand how to multiply fractions, then you should be able to explain or articulate how to multiply fractions to someone else.
We might reason that the phrase is directed at the reader. We might be tempted to assign a race to the reader considering the themes and motifs of race in the novel. We might say that "understand this" is directed at a white reader who might not be so familiar with the struggles of black people. We might argue that this novel is meant to help illuminate or teach the general white reader about the dire predicaments facing people of color.
We might also say that such a thesis is reductive and overly-simplistic. It'd be interesting to compare Understand This with critiques of current...
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popular books on race, includingWhite Fragility.
We might argue that multiple perspectives in Understand This prevent us from simplifying the book or reducing it to a certain genre or type. We might argue that Jervey Tervalon employs dynamic, diverse narrators to show us that you can't reduce someone to their race or identity.
Think about how Margot reacts when Francois's best friend, Doug, is killed. Regardless of what kind of person Doug was, we might expect Margot to show some sympathy. Does she? No. She derides Francois for "crying over some stupid-assed woman beater" and "some fool that never gave a fuck about anybody but himself.''
We might argue that such unique perspectives force us to consider how we tend to generalize certain identities, especially marginalized identities. You might want to think about the legalization of gay marriage in the US. Many people considered that a clear sign of progress for LGBTQ+ people, yet some LGBTQ+ people thought otherwise. Again, the lesson here should be don't generalize. One person from a marginalized group does not speak for all people from that marginalized group.
In Understand This, we confront non-homogeneous thoughts and feelings. We might even say that what we're meant to understand is how hard it is to understand.
One of the most poignant moments for us was when Francois's mom tries to explain to Margot why she's hesitant to put up her house to get her son out of jail. What does Margot say? She says, "You don't have to explain anything to me. I don't understand why he [Francois] does the things he does. I don't think he understands."
Not to be too contrary, but you might argue "understand this" means understanding is sometimes impossible or just not realistic. Maybe we should understand that understanding should not always be possible or even the main goal. Maybe if we let go of understanding, we'll be able to find greater, more complex truths.
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