‘Wolf Whistle’ Discussion Questions Ch. 7-9

1.) “He was about to say to him that, in a way, he won’t quite sure how, Bobo reminded Solon a little bit of Jesus” (169).

What message do you think Nordan is trying to convey here?

2.) Why do we never hear from Bobo after he is abducted from his grandparents’ house?

Mississippi Delta Blues

I’m a Mississippi delta man,

living in a 12-bar refrain.

I’m a Mississippi delta man,

living in a 12-bar refrain.

I’m a Mississippi delta man,

soul’s been a washed out by the rain.

Gone an’ left my woman,
you know it don’t phase me none.

Gone an’ left my woman,

you know that don’t phase me none.

Gone an’ left my woman,

with this here tommy gun.

You know I shot my woman down,

ain’t got no blood on my hands,

You know I shot my woman down,

ain’t got no blood on my hands,

Cause I shot my woman down,

I’m a Mississippi Delta man.

‘Wolf Whistle’ Chapter 2 Response

    Nordan depicts the character of Runt as lonely and pathetic. The town drunk, Runt has been abandoned by his wife, and mingles with fellow drunks in Red’s general store. At the same time, Runt appears to be an innocent character with good intentions. After Bobo whistles at Lady Montberclair, Runt decides to venture into the “Belgian Congo” to find him. Although the reader’s initial thought is that Runt is doing this for revenge, there is also a sense of empathy on his part. In a way, Runt identifies with Bobo, and might possibly be searching for him to warn him of the imminent retaliation on the part of Solon.

    It is somewhat ironic that Runt is a shameless gravedigger by trade, and this symbolism might also serve to represent him as a sort of undertaker for Bobo. While Runt is proud of his occupation, he feels a sense of sadness in that fact that he doesn’t merely bury unknown strangers, but people whom he knows personally. Runt also feels a sense of regret, living with the uncertainty that his mom may have died due to his failure to make a respectable living for himself and his family.

    Runt is included in the chapter to symbolize the duality of the characters in the story. While there is both a taboo racial and economic status quo in the town, many of the characters portray a sense of ignorant innocence, much like that of Bobo in his outlandish actions. Though they all believe what Bobo did was inappropriate, many of the characters tried to avert any sort of initial confrontation. Runt epitomizes this mindset, being caught between abiding by the racial guidelines that dictated society in 1950′s Mississippi, and the realization that Bobo is merely a kid from out of town who doesn’t fully comprehend the status quo.

“You’re a rambling man, am I right, Runt? You’re like the Robert Johnson tune. You’re a rambling man” (pg. 43).