After I posted my comments on Thomas Dixon's book,
THE LEOPARD"S SPOTS, I did a web search for
Simon Legree in order to get a better idea of his
position in today's culture. To my amazement, I
discovered the website of a distinguished author
who has brought Legree back for one more adventure.
The website I visited has been set up by a Professor
Eustace Winkley, late of Tufts University. Dr. Winkley
has taken Mrs. Stowe's terrifying literary figure of Simon
Legree, and--in a highly realistic manner--brought the
brutal overseer back to wreak terror in the year 2003.
Dr. Winkley stresses in his introduction that his novel
is not purely entertainment, and that he intends to use his
tale as a vehicle for delilvering an important message
regarding the dark side of human nature. (Dr. Winkley
has a BS in criminology, an MS in urban affairs, and a
Ph.D in sociology, so he plainly knows well the frightening
issues he courageously confronts in his novel.)
When SIMON LEGREE GOES TO AFRICA begins,
a dice party in a Harlam alley is interrupted as a large
white man is flung violently into the middle of the game,
outraging the players, who immediately attack the
intruder with broken wine bottles and bloody syringes.
The bewildered, enraged and very burly man gets cut
but manages to grab a broken stop sign which he
brandishes with a vicious frenzy, scattering his
attackers.
It is revealed to readers that the man is none other
Simon Legee, who was not killed after all, but
instead somehow was thrown into a time warp to
emerge in Harlam, 2003. This may sound a
bit far-fetched, but Dr. Winkley's impressive
story-telling powers convince the reader that
what is described might very well be true.
Condensing much engaging narration into as
short a review as possible, I will report that it
transpires that Simon Legree decides to go to
Africa. After trying to get a job as a prison guard,
but being sent away for lack of work history, he
realizes that his talents have no attraction for
modern American employers.
After doing a good deal of library research in New
York City, Legree finds that slavery still exists in the
Sudan. Lurking in the subway, he manages to strong-
arm enough money to buy his ticket to the dark
continent.
As Dr. Winkley makes clear, Simon Legree
is a highly intelligent man. In order to market his
skills in Africa, he learns the right business jargon
and presents himself in the Sudan as a "productivity
expert" who guarantees that he can greatly increase
the output of any work force.
Soon, he is hired by Ack-meds, a wealthy farmer
of Middle-eastern origins with a gigantic nose.
Ack-meds is currently involved in enriching himself
greatly by running a ranch in the Sudan and using
slave labor.
Of course, "productivity expert" Legree does in fact
get more work from Ack-meds' workforce--with the
careful application of a bull-whip on the backs and
behinds of the African Christian slaves of the Moslem
Ack-meds.
[By the way, if you have a difficult time placing the
name "Ack-meds," I think that is due to the great
sensitivity of Dr. Winkley. It is clearly not his wish to
single out any civilized nationality for blame, since the
novel is more about human failings than ills particular
to any one ethnicity. He does mention the Sudan by
name. But, after all, the Sudan is home to people of
several ethnicities themselves, so it makes a
convenient yet realistic backdrop for the story.
And while "Ack-meds" sounds vaguely Middle-
eastern, it cannot be said to indicate any particular
language or country. Dr. Winkley the Novelist is
not a finger-pointer; he is a story-teller par excellance.
One of the reason Ack-meds hired Simon Legree
was that--in addition to Legree's expert application
of his whip--Legree has the cunning to convince nosy
parties that Ack-med's "farming employees" are
a simple, happy, singing and dancing lot who love
their jobs.
This is important, because in 2003, there are
frequent visits to the Sudan by various agencies
investigating allegations of slavery. Legree
has the deviousness needed to soothe such
investigators and thereby help avoid bad
publicity for Ack-meds agricultural venture.
Anyway, one day David Mason and Shelia Metts
show up. They are African Americans, sent by a
U. S. non-profit organization to investigate complaints
of slavery in the Sudan.
At first extremely cordial, Simon Legree shows David
and Shelia (who turn out to be lovers) around Ack-meds'
farm, lulling them--despite their suspicions--into thinking
the farm represents a wonderful opportunity for the
"employees," whom of course Legree has threatened
with an unusually brutal thrashing if they let on that they
are terrorized slaves rather than happy, singing
agricultural employees.
As it soon develops, David and Shelia gain the
trust of a slave and learn too much for their own good.
Ack-meds orders Legree to kill them as a result..
But Legree, who is now hooked on "oxy," has been
spying on Shelia and David in bed and has fallen
in love with Shelia. In fact, Legree burns with lust
for the luscious, dark-skinned American woman..
In a rage at being ordered to kill Shelia, Legree,
in a drugged frenzy, turns on Ack-med and whips
him to death. After that, with Ack-med's well-armed
guards hot on his trail, Legree beats David into
unconsciousness and kidnaps Shelia.
The climax of the story takes place when David
regains consciousness and tracks Legree to a
desert cave, where the brutal overseer is preparing
to ravish Shelia. There is a terrible fight in the
cave between Legree, brandishing his bullwhip,
and David, armed only with his wits and athletic
body.
Far be it from me to play the spoiler and give
away Dr. Winkley's surprise ending. SIMON
LEGREE GOES TO AFRICA can be read in
part on Eustace Winkley's website, and you can
order the paper copy should you want to learn
how the story comes out. (I was so caught up
in the adventure that I had a copy sent to me by
overnight delivery, which is why I know the ending.)
Dr. Winkley has made a valuable contribution to
human society with his new novel. The characters
are very lifelike and realistic, and he carefully avoids
stereotypes.
One possible criticism is that the only white person in
the book is Simon Legree. Actually that makes a
refreshing change for the reader. After all, there have
certainly been enough books published with only one
African American character.
I am sure that Dr. Winkley will have a great career
ahead of him as a novelist, though I hope his success
will not lure him away from the academic world, since
he is, as I gather, a leading authority in urban affairs.
(By the way, when I went to Dr. Winkley's website before
writing this, in order to add the link, I could not find his site.
However, I am sure any problem will be temporary, and I
should be able to get the link for you soon.)
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