By: Jason Gerber
Arts is not a pastime activity. It is an integral force in one’s life, shaping who they are, preserving their history, and even challenging societal norms.
One such example is found in “One-Legged Uncle Jesse.” In this story, art and culture take center stage, serving as mechanisms of resistance and tools for the identity formation of the family.
Whether it’s through Finn’s nuanced paintings or Mr. Rhodes’ communal music lessons, creativity becomes a powerful tool for communicating their lived experiences and preserving their family heritage.
These creative forms become vessels for preserving family legacies, celebrating heritage, and challenging societal norms.
Finn, one of the characters in the book, becomes a famous painter. His art speaks volumes about his family’s history and their struggles. Finn often uses his grandmother, Dessar, and occasionally his grandfather, Jesse, as subjects in his paintings.
However, there is something peculiar about these depictions. In many of his works, Finn never clearly shows his grandfather’s legs. Finn might paint Jesse standing on a porch, but one leg is always hidden behind something like a barrel or a bush.
In one painting, while Jesse stands on the porch, what seems to be one good leg is visible, but the other leg is abstract and nondescript, covered by an indistinct smudge.
This could be seen as Finn’s subtle resistance against the norms that want to portray history in a sanitized and straightforward manner. By obscuring his grandfather’s legs, Finn raises questions and provokes curiosity, forcing the observer to see beyond the canvas.
Art becomes a medium for Finn to deal with the complexity of family legends and myths. By keeping certain elements ambiguous, Finn honors the family’s stories while acknowledging that not everything about the past is clear-cut.
This artistic choice also counters the granddaughter of Great Aunt Dessar and Great Uncle Jesse, who angrily corrects the family rumor, insisting, “Grandpa had both his legs!” Through his paintings, Finn subtly challenges this assertion and keeps the complexities of his family’s history alive.
Mr. Rhodes, another important character, uses music as a form of cultural expression. He teaches music using sticks and pebbles, transforming these simple objects into musical instruments. Mr. Rhodes’ approach to music instruction is not just about teaching notes and rhythms; it’s about preserving a cultural heritage and fostering a sense of community.
In a society where racial divisions often dictate social interactions, Mr. Rhodes’ music lessons bring people together, offering a space where cultural expression can thrive.
Rhodes’ students learn more than just music; they learn about resilience, creativity, and the power of tradition. Music becomes a form of resistance against a world that often devalues its cultural contributions.
It provides a way for them to reclaim their identity and to celebrate their heritage. In this way, Rhodes’ music lessons echo Finn’s paintings—both serve as means for characters to express their identities and resist societal norms that seek to silence their voices.
Art and culture in “One-Legged Uncle Jesse” are not limited to professional pursuits. They permeate everyday life, fostering connections and nurturing emotional bonds. Take Arvis, for instance. From an early age, she shows a love for reading. She would spend time with her elder sister Thelma’s books, looking at the pages and inventing stories, even before she could read. Who knew, after learning to read, Arvis would start a never-ending quest to master every new word she comes across.
This love for reading and storytelling becomes a form of cultural resistance for Arvis. Books and words become her tools for navigating and understanding the world around her, providing her with a voice in a society that often tries to suppress it.
Art and cultural expression also serve as vital links between past and present, helping to document family histories and emotional connections. The watercolor paintings found in the book joggled Arvis’s memory of her youth and her mysterious Uncle Jesse.
Simple objects and creative expressions trigger recollections, making the past come alive in the present. Through Finn’s paintings and Mr. Rhodes’ music, family histories are not just told; they are felt and experienced, bridging gaps between generations and fostering a deeper sense of connection.
Final Words
“One-Legged Uncle Jesse” validates how art and cultural expression serve as powerful forms of resistance and identity assertion. Through characters like Finn and Mr. Rhodes, the book highlights the importance of preserving cultural heritage and using creative mediums to challenge societal norms.
Whether through ambiguous paintings or music lessons that bring people together, art in the book becomes a testament to the enduring power of human resilience and connection.
These artistic endeavors enable the characters to document their family histories and maintain emotional bonds, enriching their lives and empowering them to resist and redefine the world around them.
Published by: Khy Talara
