The Wife of His Youth

[mjha...@crimson.ua.edu]

Matt Harris
8/31/2009


The Wife of His Youth


1. To become a member of the Blue Vein Society you must only fit into
the character and culture descriptions that they are looking for. The
Blue Vein Society is an African-American society, but most people in
it speak very clear English. The joke in the book is, “no one is
eligible for membership who was not white enough to show their blue
veins.” The story describes most of their members as being, “light
colored.” It is clearly evident that Mr. Ryder strongly cares about
race within the Blue Vein Society. He is part of an organization that
establishes social standards among people whose condition can be
dramatically improved. Mr. Ryder is described in the story, “as not
being as white as some of the Blue Veins.” Then on page 698 Mr. Ryder
states, “I have no prejudice, but we people of mixed blood are ground
between the upper and the nether millstone. “Our fate lies between
absorption by the white race and extinction in the black. The other
would welcome us, but it would be for us a backward step. All we must
do the best we can for ourselves.” This quote is telling the reader
how much he really cares about race, and how they must strive to
strengthen it.

Also, Mr. Ryder’s wedding was a remember able day for colored people
throughout the city, but he also had all different kinds of people
their from a large variety of professions. Therefore, Mr. Ryder was a
remarkable man who wanted to better society and was looked upon by
others.