How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Turning down into the quarters, I could see the tractor in the middle of the road, and I could see Candy's black LTD parked in the ditch on the right. But I didn't see any of the people as I drove past the old houses. Just like little bedbugs, I told myself. Just like frightened little bedbugs now. But when I stopped before Mathu's house, I could see they were not bedbugs after all. They were all there, in the yard and on the porch. Three of them had shotguns—Mathu, Johnny Paul, and Rufe. (3.5)
This is one of those passages where the role that race plays isn't as obvious, but race is definitely there. The fact that Miss Merle basically calls the African American men living in the quarters insects—and that's who she's talking about—and does it so casually, tells you exactly what she thinks about them. And it's not good.
Quote #2
"He works in mysterious ways," I told her. "Give a old n***** like me one more chance to do something with his life. He give me that chance, and I'm taking it, I'm going to Marshall. I know I'm old, maybe even crazy, but I'm going anyhow. And it ain't nothing you can do about it. Pray if you want to. Pray for all us old fools. But don't try to stop me." (5.38)
Once again, race is at play here, and not just in Mat's obvious use of a racial slur to refer to himself. Mat's words are meant to tell us that, because of his skin color, he hasn't been given many opportunities to do something meaningful or make something of himself, and he feels like standing up for Mathu is going to give him that chance.
Quote #3
Jameson came round the end of the garry where I was sitting. He was crying now. He was pressing his lips tight, but I could see tears running down his face. […]
"That's what y'all come here for?" he asked. "To die? Y'all think that'll make up for all the hurt? That's what y'all think?"
I didn't answer him. I didn't look at him. I could see him from the corner of my eyes crying, his mouth pressed tight again.
Now he looked at Candy.
"You satisfied now?" he asked her. "You satisfied now? You think you doing him any good if you soak this land with blood?" (7.34-42)
Jameson is completely terrified in this passage, and who can blame him? All his life, he's seen time and time again that bad things happen when Black folks stand up to white folks. How do you think that Gaines wants us to feel about him?