The Sky is Gray: An Analysis

"The Sky is Gray" is a short story written by an African American man named Ernest J. Gaines and first published in 1963. Ernest J. Gaines was born ands lived his first 15 years in a small town in Louisiana. After his 15^th birthday, he moved to California to attend a high school, served in the US Army, and later attended two universities. He became a professor and began writing. Most of Gaines's works are based on his childhood and heritage in rural Louisiana. In "The Sky is Gray," Gaines introduces a young African American boy named James who lives with is family in extreme poverty in rural Louisiana. Gaines relates a few days of James's life when he has a toothache and takes a trip to the dentist in town with his mother, to create a plot that may sound simple, but holds within it many underlying meanings.

In the story, the reader constantly sees the poor conditions that many-especially African Americans-in the early 1940's had to endure. It is revealed that economic conditions made life so hard for people. One example is when James's mother, Octavia, decides that she will take James to the dentist, and because of their lack of transportation, they will have to go on a public bus. Before their departure, there is a scene in which James's mother is counting money for their trip. There is just enough for the trip to town and back, enough for paying the dentist, and enough for buying a very small portion of salt meat for the family. From this scene, the viewer can see the meager amount of assets that James and his family actually have. This was a time when every cent count for survival.

Another factor explored is that of racism. Because of the family's extreme poverty, they most go to the most inexpensive dentist. When they go, they wait for hours to see the dentist. Then, a white nurse emerges from the back room and announces that the doctor will see no one else until 1:00 that afternoon. Despite the begging of Octavia, the nurse refuses to let James in to see the dentist. From the look of disdain on the nurse's face, the viewer can understand that racism and class is playing a role in the nurse's decision to not let James see the dentist.