Race, Truth, and Fiction in Thomas Wolfe’s “The Child by Tiger”

Buncombe County Public Libraries, The Wolfe Memorial and The YMI Cultural Center collaborate on discussion series, “Race, Truth, and Fiction in Thomas Wolfe’s The Child by Tiger.”

The two-part series asks questions like, “Is Asheville still segregated? Are race relations in Asheville different from those in other parts of North Carolina? Does the 1906 Will Harris event — a lone African American gunman’s rampage that left 5 people, black and white, dead on the streets of Asheville, resulting in the shooter’s death at the hands of a posse two days later — Illustrate any truths about why race relations in Asheville are what they are? What impression did the event make on Thomas Wolfe, who was six years old at the time? What does Wolfe’s short story, ‘The Child by Tiger,’ suggest about the event and the writer?” So says a press release for the event.

• Part 1: “African American Survival Mechanisms in Asheville” Tuesday, Nov. 27 at 6:30 p.m. at the YMI Center.
• Part 2: “An Unfound Door? Thomas Wolfe and Race” Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. at the Wolfe Memorial.

The programs is free. For more info: Pack Memorial Library 250-4741.

There will also be a reader’s theatre of “The Child By Tiger.” According to the press release, “The Thomas Wolfe Memorial Advisory Committee will host a Readers Theatre of Wolfe’s Child by Tiger on November 15 at 6 p.m. For $5, visitors will experience the Wolfe’s story in a trio voice in this reading adapted by the late Wolfe scholar, Ted Mitchell. All proceeds will benefit the Memorial. For more information please contact the Memorial at 253-8304 or Christian.edwards@ncdcr.gov.”

SHARE
About Alli Marshall
Alli Marshall has lived in Asheville for more than 20 years and loves live music, visual art, fiction and friendly dogs. She is the winner of the 2016 Thomas Wolfe Fiction Prize and the author of the novel "How to Talk to Rockstars," published by Logosophia Books. Follow me @alli_marshall

Before you comment

The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.

Leave a Reply

To leave a reply you may Login with your Mountain Xpress account, connect socially or enter your name and e-mail. Your e-mail address will not be published. All fields are required.