A Gathering of Old Men

Study Guide

Summary

Chapter 17–20

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Summary Chapter 17–20

The chapter's final mention of Candy and Mathu demonstrates also the way that they have changed through the novel. Candy longed to protect Mathu throughout the book, but actually reinforced her position as a socially superior white by doing so. Candy's willingness to let Mathu drive home with the other blacks differs from her cloying protection of him throughout the rest of the novel. At the same time, Mathu too has changed. Previously he shunned the skin color of the other blacks and closely aligned himself with the Marshalls in a superior way. Now he believes himself the equal of the other black men and goes with them. In the final action of the novel, Candy grasps Lou's hand affectionately. With this grasp, it seems that Candy will consent to become his wife, as he desires. She has been ornery and feisty throughout the book, but she too has changed and is finally able to release herself from her own outdated notions of how the blacks on her plantation can only survive underneath her protection. As she releases her stubborn independence, she will likely be better suited to join with another in marriage.

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