Poor children Quote by Ernest J. Gaines
““For the next half hour it continued. Dr. Joseph would call on someone who looked half bright, then he would call on someone whom he felt was just the opposite. In the upper grades—fourth, fifth, and sixth—he asked grammatical, mathematical, and geographical questions. And besides looking at hands, now he began inspecting teeth. Open wide, say “Ahhh”—and he would have the poor children spreading out their lips as far as they could while he peered into their mouths. At the university I had read about slave masters who had done the same when buying new slaves, and I had read of cattlemen doing it when purchasing horses and cattle. At least Dr. Joseph had graduated to the level where he let the children spread out their own lips, rather than using some kind of crude metal instrument. I appreciated his humanitarianism.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman, 1971
The narrator observes a teacher’s humane yet invasive examination of children, contrasting past cruelty with a more compassionate approach.
In simple terms: A teacher checks children’s teeth gently, recalling harsher past practices.
Key Takeaway
Notice how small kindnesses can replace harsh traditions.
Themes
humanity
education
ethics
history
compassion
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
critical
Type
observational
ethical
When to use this quote
- classroom
- medical checkups
- historical reflection
- ethical debates
Key Concepts
medical examination
power dynamics
historical context
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we balance care with respect for personal boundaries?
- What other practices have evolved from cruelty to compassion?
A Different Perspective
Even gentle methods can still feel invasive to those examined.
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