Blog #4: Text Connection
“’During Prohibition I got some corn whiskey and laid it away, I just got to thinking I’d like to see how it is”’ (91).
The novel takes place during the Great Depression—before World War II and immediately after the new era—and contains many allusions to real life events that occurred during that time period. At one point, Captain recalls some corn whiskey that he had hid a while back and wonders how it is now. It is clear that Captain is recalling the prohibition time in which many United States citizens, especially women, fervently fought for temperance, the abstinence from alcohol. In 1919, the 18th amendment was ratified, declaring the sale and manufacture of alcohol illegal in the United States. While legislation to ban alcohol was passed, not enough was done to effectively enforce the new law. As a result, a great deal of Americans continued to drink alcohol by doing so privately with what they managed to save or by buying it illegally from private manufacturers. It can be inferred that during prohibition, Captain saved some corn whiskey that he had left over for a later time, but never went to drink it.
I noticed this text connection as well. I also believe it may be important as the the character development of the Captain. By having the whiskey for such a long time and never having a drink of it, shows that he most likely does not have company very often. It expresses his loneliness which is also evident in his quick acceptance of Mack and the boys. I believe this text connection is not only important to the time period, but to the character development as well.
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