Summary of the work - Sykalo Eugen 2023

Short summary - The Third Life of Grange Copeland by Alice Walker

The Third Life of Grange Copeland by Alice Walker is an enthralling work of literature that takes us on a journey through the life of Grange Copeland, a black man who is struggling to survive in the oppressive South of the United States. The novel is a powerful exploration of the legacy of slavery and racism in America, and it shows how these forces have shaped the lives of black people, and how they continue to affect us today.

The novel is divided into three parts, each of which gives us a glimpse into different stages of Grange's life. In Part One, set in the 1920s, we are introduced to Grange's impoverished upbringing in rural Georgia. Grange grows up in a world of poverty, with a father who is abusive and a mother who is powerless to protect her children. Grange's father, Brownfield, is a man who has been broken by the white man's system of oppression, and he takes out his anger on his family. Grange learns from a young age that he must be tough to survive, and he begins to develop a hard exterior.

In Part Two, we see Grange as a young man who has left the South and is living in the North. He has a wife and children, but despite his new life, he is still haunted by the memories of his past. Grange is unable to escape the legacy of slavery and racism, and he struggles to find meaning in his life. The author skillfully shows us how racism is not just a system of oppression, but it is a disease that infects the minds of both the oppressed and the oppressor, and the effects of this disease are long-lasting.

Part Three takes us back to the South, where Grange returns to care for his aging father. Grange's father is now old and feeble, and Grange is forced to confront the demons of his past. He must come to terms with the fact that he has perpetuated the cycle of violence and abuse that he learned from his father. Grange realizes that he must break the cycle if he wants to create a better life for his own children. This part of the novel is a powerful exploration of the theme of redemption, as Grange learns to confront his past and make amends for his mistakes.

The Third Life of Grange Copeland is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of race in America, and in the power of literature to explore the human experience. Through Grange's story, we see the devastating effects of racism and the ways in which it has shaped the lives of black people in America. However, we also see the power of redemption and the hope that comes with confronting our past and making amends for our mistakes. The novel is a masterpiece of literature that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it.