The affair of Melanctha and Jeff Campbell encompasses some 120 pages of the narrative. Within these pages, the audience is able have a more in depth look at the workings of Melanctha’s mind. Watching the interaction between the two lovers is intriguing as well as heartbreaking and aggravating.
Melanctha’s uncertainty takes its toll on both her and Campbell. From what the audience is told, until the time he met Melanctha Campbell was a solitary and immersed himself in his work. While he was immersed in his work, Melanctha was content in her wanderings.
Campbell's Life Before Melanctha
His joy in life comes from helping other African Americans and giving them the medical care that they need which is in his power to offer. When word of mouth about Melanctha’s wanderings reaches Campbell, he decides that he does not care for her ways. In turn, he does not particularly care for her as a person.
A Good, Strong Mind
While assisting Melanctha during the sickness and subsequent death of her mother, Campbell begins to see a different Melanctha and he readily admits he doesn’t understand her. Her moods are flighty and she is often quiet and subdued. Although, when she speaks to him at length, he begins to see that she has a good, strong mind.
Campbell states that he does not approve of the way some of his fellow African Americans are constantly looking for excitements, but he admires those with a good, strong mind. In light of this discovery concerning Melanctha his opinion of her changes. And so the affair begins.
Psychology of a Relationship
Witnessing the conversational exchanges between the lovers allows the audience a glimpse at the psychology that drives their relationship. The thought processes of the two are caught in the midst of aggravation, misunderstanding and a desperation to hold onto something which is unattainable. This situation is so realistic it becomes difficult to read at times. It becomes monotonous.
In traditional narration, there is the dialogue and sometimes the omniscient voice which steps in to clarify. With Stein, this is never the case. The audience is expected to be interpretive and receptive to the emotions and challenges of the characters on the page. Melanctha and Campbell do not fit any traditional stereotype of one simple character. The many facets of their personalities and actions encompass us all.
Positive Turns Negative
Melanctha’s relationship with Campbell is one that did have some positive results. She no longer wanders with anyone except him. Just as gossip had caused Campbell to have a preconceived notion of Melanctha at the start, the gossip of other individuals after the affair begins causes him to take a second look at the situation. On the tales one individual has to tell of Melanctha, Campbell finds it more difficult to go see her.
Though he admits that he once enjoyed her company, there is something not right and it causes him great emotional, psychological pain. Confronting Melanctha with this dilemma creates nothing but more pain. As the two slowly begin to grow apart so does their attachment to one another. After the affair ends, Melanctha embraces her old ways quite comfortably and begins wandering once again.
Stein, Gertrude. Three Lives & Tender Buttons. New York: Signet Classic, 2003.
Jennifer M. Willhite - Autobiographical writing is not necessarily my forte, but let's give it a try. I graduated from IU Bloomington with B.A.s in English ...
