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Captain
Blackman
Reading
Group Guide PLOT
SUMMARY: True
to form, John A. Williams is exhaustive and accurate in his historical research
of the significant role played by African Americans in the military. Captain Blackman
is a u.s. soldier in Vietnam who is seriously wounded. As he drifts in and out
of consciousness he travels back in time, reliving each war as an African American
soldier. His first stop is the American Revolution, where he fights in the battles
of Concord and Lexington with African American soldiers such as Peter Salem and
Cato Stedman. He goes on to experience the life of a soldier in each of the following
wars, and eventually resumes his life as a wounded soldier in Vietnam. Alexs
Pate, author of the award-winning novels Losing Absalom and Amistad,
provides an invaluable introduction to the reprint of this novel. Pate tells us
that African American men in the military "lived in a world, in each generation,
where the clearest obstruction in their quest for respect, wholeness, and love
came in the form of racial bigotry and irrational fear. . . . Clearly African
American men hoped that valor and bravery would stand as proof of humanity and
equality." John
A. Williams blurs the lines between fiction and fact as he relates this tale of
a man fighting for his country, as well as his honor within a racist military
system. This novel urges us to rethink our definitions of patriotism, personal
freedom, and respect. DISCUSSION
QUESTIONS: 1.
During the violence and unrest of the 1960s and 1970s, the Black Arts Movement
emerged as a collective desire of African Americans to define themselves and their
culture according to their own standards. Comment on the role that the Black Arts
Movement played in Captain Blackman. Is this novel a product of its time
or does its story reach farther than that? 2.
This novel illustrates the difficult role African American men have encountered
in the U.S. military. Compare and contrast this situation with the current debate
regarding gays in the military. 3.
What role does gender play in this novel? What is your reaction to the portrayal
of women? 4.
Comment on the end of the novel. Do you think that Blackman is justified in his
reaction? Was it appropriate to reward his service with a purple heart? 5.
Of all the people that Blackman encounters, who has the greatest impact on him?
Who does he influence? What feelings does he inspire in other black men? Why? 6.
Comment on the sexual encounters in the book. How is sex used as a weapon? Explore
the ways that both white men and African American men use and abuse their sexuality. 7.
While watching and participating in the genocide of Native Americans, Blackman
comments that "it’s a soldier’s job to enforce and protect the rules of the
time in which he lived—if there was nothing he could do about the rules."
Does Blackman’s position on that topic change? What is your reaction to that statement? 8.
Captain Blackman illustrates a journey through both time and space. How
does his physical/mental journey influence his self-realization process? 9.
Comment on Alexs Pate’s introduction. How did his reactions to Captain Blackman
affect your understanding of the novel? PRAISE
FOR Captain Blackman: "Among
the most important works of fiction of the decade." —The
New York Times Book Review "Captain
Blackman is a dramatically sound and exciting retelling of history. Williams
is a powerful writer and his historical characters come to life alongside his
fictional ones." —Publishers
Weekly "Mr.
Williams has written a provocative book in which fantasy and history merge and
flow. His well-researched retelling of history is valuable, his novel fascinating
reading, and his message compelling." —The
Baltimore Sun RECOMMENDED
READING: If you
enjoyed Captain Blackman, don’t miss Clifford’s Blues, also by John
A. Williams. In
his newest of twelve novels, Williams presents the fictionalized narrative of
a black jazz musician imprisoned in Dachau who keeps himself alive by working
as the jazz band leader of a group of prisoners. $14.95
/ paper / 1-56689-080-2 BIO: John
A. Williams is the recipient of two American Book Awards and is the author of
more than twenty books. He has taught at the City University of New York and at
Rutgers University. Williams lives in Teaneck, New Jersey.
Novels
available in the Coffee House Press Black Arts Movement
Series:
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