That Evening Sun Theme of Versions of Reality

Reality in "That Evening Sun" is not a clear-cut matter… but it never is. How many realities are coexisting in this short story? Let's count.

There's the reality of the white residents of Jefferson, and then there's the reality of the black residents. There's the reality of Nancy, who fears her dangerous husband, and then there's the reality of the father who tells her not to worry about the man. The world of children is juxtaposed with the world of adults, too. And none of these divisions are neat and precise—the realities spill over into one another. When you read this story be prepared for a head-trip, maaaan.

1. Whose version of reality in this story is the correct one, or at least a correct one? Can any of the versions be described that way?
2. If you had to guess, do you think Jesus is coming to attack Nancy at the end of the story or not? Why do you think so?
3. What would you describe as the chief differences between the reality of the white individuals and that of the black ones?
4. What would you describe as the chief differences between the reality of the adults and the reality of the children?

The different versions of reality in the story reflect the impossibility of defining what the real truth is.

Though different versions of reality are presented in the story, it is still mostly possible to define what the real truth is.