Foundations of Injustice in Under The Lion's Paw

Introduction

"Under The Lion's Paw" by Hamlin Garland is a short story that really digs into the unfair treatment American farmers faced back in the late 1800s. We meet Tim Haskins, who shows us just how rough life was for those folks dealing with greedy landowners. This essay's gonna break down the themes and character dynamics in the story, shining a light on all the economic struggles they went through. By looking at power plays, the whole idea of the American Dream, and how poverty can strip away dignity, we see Garland paint a pretty stark picture of what was wrong with farm life back then.

Underpinnings of Injustice in "Under The Lion's Paw"

The main thing in "Under The Lion's Paw" is the power struggle between landlords and tenants. Tim Haskins is just this hardworking farmer caught up with Jim Butler, a landlord who's out to squeeze every bit he can from him. Butler totally takes advantage of Haskins, showing how messed up things were for tenant farmers everywhere. No matter how hard Haskins works on the land, Butler hikes up the price once it starts paying off. It's like Garland is calling out capitalism itself—your hard work can get snatched away by someone with more power. The story really highlights how vulnerable working-class folks are; no matter how much grit they have, they're still stuck under rich people's thumbs.

And then there's this whole critique of the American Dream. You know, that idea if you just work hard enough, you'll make it big? Garland really questions that through what happens to Haskins and his family. At first, they're all optimistic, thinking their hard work will pay off with a better life. But reality hits them hard when Butler double-crosses them. It’s like saying maybe the American Dream ain't all it's cracked up to be if you're weighed down by stuff you can't control. So basically, Garland wants us to think about whether people can really pull themselves up when everything else keeps pushing them down.

Poverty's another big theme here. It's not just about fighting for land; it's about fighting for dignity and survival too. Being poor strips away so much from them—they're stuck in this endless grind of work without any real freedom or respect. Garland makes us feel for the Haskins family and makes us question bigger societal issues tied to poverty. How it messes with your mind and spirit—it just perpetuates oppression over time. Through Haskins' story, Garland is making a case for more empathy and social change, getting folks to notice what's causing these deep-rooted problems.

Conclusion

In "Under The Lion's Paw," Hamlin Garland throws a spotlight on what farmers went through in 19th-century America—their socio-economic battles weren't easy at all. Through Tim Haskins' eyes, we see how landlords held all the cards in these relationships and tore apart any hope of achieving that American Dream everyone talks about. Plus, there's that harsh look at poverty that strips people of basic human dignity. This story isn't just an indictment of past injustices; it's also super relevant today as we think about fairness and decency in our own world. By tackling these themes head-on, Garland's tale still speaks volumes to anyone interested in justice both back then and right now.

References

• Garland, H. (1891). Under The Lion's Paw.
• Cox, J.D., & Churgin J.R., (1991). Social injustices in 19th century America: An analysis of Hamlin Garland’s narratives.
• Taylor, A.A., (2005). Unmasking agrarian struggles: Themes in Hamlin Garland’s literature.
• Brownson M.C., (2013). Landlord-tenant dynamics: A historical perspective from 'Under The Lion's Paw'.
• Pearson R.T., (2016). Economic disparity and its portrayal in early American literature.