Understanding Berry

1.
Plot
Definition:
The plot refers to the sequence of events in the story, including the introduction, rising action,
climax, falling action, and resolution.
How it’s developed in Berry:
 Introduction: The story introduces Milberry Jones, a young Black man who is hired as a
handyman at a summer home for children with disabilities, despite racial prejudice.
 Rising Action: As Milberry works diligently, he faces the exploitation and racist
attitudes of the white staff, who overwork and underpay him while showing little respect
for him or the children.
 Climax: The climax occurs when Milberry, while attending to a child in a wheelchair,
accidentally causes the child to fall due to faulty equipment.
 Falling Action: Instead of the home taking responsibility for its inadequate facilities, the
blame is placed solely on Milberry, who is immediately fired.
 Resolution: The story ends with Milberry leaving the home, knowing that his dismissal
was unjust and driven by racial prejudice, leaving readers to reflect on the injustice he
faces.
2. Characters
Definition:
Characters are the people (or sometimes animals or objects) in a story. Main characters are
central to the plot, while minor characters support the story's development.
 Milberry Jones: The protagonist, Milberry is a hardworking and compassionate Black
man who is exploited due to his race. His experiences highlight the themes of racial
injustice and exploitation.
 Mrs. Osborn: She is the head of the summer home and embodies the racist attitudes of
the time, underpaying Milberry and treating him as inferior.
 The Children: The children, particularly the disabled child who falls, symbolize
innocence and vulnerability, underscoring the lack of care and responsibility from the
adults in charge.
 The Staff: The other employees at the home also exhibit racist behavior, making it clear
that Milberry is seen as disposable and treated unfairly due to his race.
3. Setting
Definition:
The setting refers to the time and place where the story occurs. It influences the mood,
atmosphere, and sometimes the characters' actions.
 The story takes place in a summer home for children with disabilities in the early 20th
century, reflecting the social and racial dynamics of the period.
 The setting emphasizes the disparity between the comfortable lives of the white staff and
the hardship Milberry faces. The lack of proper equipment, such as the faulty wheelchair,
highlights the neglect that permeates the home, not just for Milberry but for the children
as well
4. Theme
Definition:
The theme is the underlying message or main idea that the author wishes to convey through the
story.
 Racial Injustice and Exploitation: The central theme is racial discrimination. Milberry
is exploited for his labor and treated as inferior due to his race. Despite his hard work, he
is blamed for an accident caused by the poor conditions at the home.
 Exploitation of Labor: The story also explores the theme of labor exploitation, as
Milberry is overworked, underpaid, and treated as though he is less deserving of fair
treatment because of his race.
 Compassion and Kindness: Despite the discrimination he faces, Milberry remains kind
and caring, particularly toward the children, which highlights his humanity in contrast to
the cruelty of the adults.
5. Conflict
Definition:
Conflict is the struggle between opposing forces in a story, often between characters or within a
character.
 Internal Conflict (Milberry’s Struggles): Milberry faces internal conflict as he tries to
do his best in a hostile environment where he is undervalued and mistreated. He struggles
with the unjust treatment but remains resilient and compassionate.
 External Conflict (Milberry vs. Racism): The primary external conflict is between
Milberry and the racist attitudes of the white staff. Their mistreatment of him and
eventual scapegoating for the accident are direct results of the societal racism that
permeates the story.
6. Symbolism
Definition:
Symbolism refers to the use of symbols—objects, characters, or events that represent something
beyond their literal meaning.
 The Broken Wheelchair: The faulty wheelchair that causes the accident represents the
neglect and lack of care for both Milberry and the children. It symbolizes how the system
is broken, yet the blame is placed on those who are most vulnerable, like Milberry.
 Milberry’s Labor: Milberry’s work symbolizes the hard, underappreciated labor of
Black people in a racist society. No matter how hard he works, he is treated as less
valuable and disposable.
7. Point of View
Definition:
Point of view is the perspective from which the story is told.
 The story is told from a third-person limited point of view, focusing on Milberry’s
experiences and struggles. This allows readers to sympathize with him and see the
injustices he faces, even if society around him does not.
8. Tone and Mood
Definition:
Tone refers to the author’s attitude toward the subject, while mood is the feeling the reader gets
from the story.
 Tone: The tone of the story is critical of the racial and social injustices of the time.
Hughes uses Milberry’s experiences to expose the hypocrisy and cruelty of those in
power.
 Mood: The mood is one of sadness and frustration. As readers follow Milberry’s journey,
they feel sympathy for his unfair treatment and anger at the racial prejudices that dictate
his fate.
Discussion Questions:
1. How does the setting of the summer home contribute to the theme of exploitation?
2. In what ways is Milberry’s treatment reflective of the racial attitudes of the time?
3. What does the broken wheelchair symbolize in the context of the story?
4. How does Langston Hughes use the character of Mrs. Osborn to criticize societal norms?

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