DuBose Heyward

Name: Porgy — Part II.
Author: DuBose Heyward

Porgy — Part II. (1925)

Summary

“Porgy — Part II.”, published in 1925, is a work by DuBose Heyward. It explores elements such as Porgy, gots and nigger.

Quotes from Porgy — Part II. (DuBose Heyward)

DuBose Heyward, Porgy — Part II. (1925)

“ All in all, it was a season for the good things of life, to be had now for scarcely more than the asking.
Only Porgy sat lonely and disconsolate in his doorway and watched the sunlight creep up the eastern wall until it faded to a faint red at the top, then the blue dusk grew under the wharf, and swirled through the street and court. He had not been able to get to his stand since Peter's departure; and the small store of coins, which he kept under a loose brick in his hearth, was nearing exhaustion. ”

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Source: Wikisource

DuBose Heyward, Porgy — Part II. (1925)

“ But Porgy was by nature a dreamer, and there were times even in those days, when his mind returned with wistful longing to the old uninterrupted hours when he used to sit, lost in meditation, under the unmarked drift of time. Some day, he would tell himself, there would come one with a compassion so great that he would give both Porgy and the goat place by his doorstep. Then life would be perfect indeed. ”

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Source: Wikisource

DuBose Heyward, Porgy — Part II. (1925)

“ In the dim light, Porgy leaned forward and looked long into the keen, kindly face of his questioner.
Archdale gave a surprised exclamation: "Why, you're the old man who used to beg in front of the apothecary shop on King Charles Street!" he said. Then, after a moment of scrutiny: "But you are not old, after all, are you?" and he studied the face intently. There was a touch of grey in the wool above the ears, and strong character lines flared downward from the nose to corners of a mouth that was, at once, full-lipped and sensuous, yet set in a resolute line most unusual in a negro. ”

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Source: Wikisource

DuBose Heyward, Porgy — Part II. (1925)

“ The last of the stevedores had departed, some to the plantations, others to the phosphate mines, and still others to the river barges.
The long, hot days, so conducive to indolence, brought a new phase of life to Catfish Row. The loud talk and noisy comings and goings diminished. Men came in earlier in the evenings, and spent more time with their women.
Porgy sat alone in his doorway. In a room overhead a man and his wife were engaged in a friendly quarrel that ended in laughter. ”

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Source: Wikisource

DuBose Heyward, Porgy — Part II. (1925)

“ Presently there issued from the shop the loud voice of the proprietor: "Oh, Mary, come quick, and bring the broom. Something has died again." Then followed the sound of boxes being overturned, while dust from a prodigious sweeping bellied in clouds from the door. Then the apothecary, very red in the face, came out for air, and found the goat. The burst of laughter that greeted him increased his irritation. Brandishing the broom, and in no uncertain language, he drove Porgy from his door. ”

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Source: Wikisource

DuBose Heyward, Porgy — Part II. (1925)

“ An' 'side, ef a man is de kin' wut needs er 'oman, he goin' be happy regahdless. Him dress she up in he own eye till she look lak de Queen of Sheba tuh um. Porgy t'ink right now dat he gots a she-gawd in he room."
"He sho' gots de kin' wut goin' gib um hell," Serena commented cynically. "Dat 'oman ain't fit tuh 'sociate wid. Much as I like Porgy, I wouldn't swap t'ree wo'd wid she."
"Dat's all so, Sister," conceded Peter. "But yuh keep yo' eye on Porgy. He usen tuh hate all dese chillen. Ain't he? Now watch um. Ebery day w'en he come home he gots candy-ball fuh de crowd. ”

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Source: Wikisource

DuBose Heyward, Porgy — Part II. (1925)

“ The great, gleaming houses looked out at him with kindly eyes that peered between solid walls of climbing roses. Ladies on the deep piazzas would frequently send a servant running out to give him a coin and speed him on his way. ”

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Source: Wikisource

DuBose Heyward, Porgy — Part II. (1925)

“ Porgy's face still wore its mask. "How come yuh tuh care, Boss?" he queried.
"Why, I am the Rutledge's lawyer; and I look after their colored folks for them. I think they must have owned half the slaves in the county. A woman here, Serena Robbins, is the daughter of their old coachman, or something; and she asked them to help her friend out."
"Peter ain't gots no money, yuh know, Boss. An' I jes begs from do' to do'." There was still a shade of suspicion in Porgy's voice. ”

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Source: Wikisource

DuBose Heyward, Porgy — Part II. (1925)

“ When he had fully satisfied himself as to the extent of his wealth, his tension relaxed, and, tying the money in a rag which he tore from his bed-clothing, he closed his hand firmly upon it, crawled back into bed, and immediately fell asleep. ”

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Source: Wikisource

DuBose Heyward, Porgy — Part II. (1925)

“ She had put her grief aside, and gone resolutely about her task of earning a living for the three children.
"I can't puzzle dis t'ing out," she said after a while. "De old man ain't done nuttin', an' dey done gots um lock up like a chicken t'ief. Dey say dey gots tuh keep um till dat nigger Crown get ketch; an, Gawd knows when dat debble ob a t'ing goin' tuh happen."
"It sho pay nigger tuh go blin' in dis world," contributed the young woman. "Porgy; ain't gots much leg, but he sho got sense."
After a moment of reflection, Porgy replied: "Sense do berry well; but he can't lift no weight." ”

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Source: Wikisource

DuBose Heyward, Porgy — Part II. (1925)

“ Ain't yuh 'shame' tuh set dey befo' me, an' talk sweet-mout' 'bout dat murderin' Crown's Bess? Ef I wuz yo' age, an' er man, I'd sabe my sof' wo'd fer de Gawd-farin' ladies."
"Ef yuh wuz my age, an' a man—" commenced Peter. He hesitated, and looked long at her with his dim, kindly eyes; then he shook his head. "No; it ain't no use. Yuh wouldn't onderstan'. Dat somet'ing shemale sense ain't goin' tuh help yuh none wid." ”

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Source: Wikisource

DuBose Heyward, Porgy — Part II. (1925)

“ He was attired in sky-blue, peg-top trousers, yellow spats, and in the center of a scarlet bow-tie gleamed an immense paste horseshoe.
"Do listen tuh Sportin' Life!" said a black, loutish buck admiringly. "Ef he ain't lookin' at de rollin' bones, he always gots he eye on de women."
Maria's heavy tread shook the room as she crossed and stood, with arms akimbo, scowling down at her iridescent guest. The man looked up, lowered his eyes quickly, and shifted uneasily in his chair.
"Nigger!" she finally shot at him, and the impact almost jarred him from his chair. ”

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Source: Wikisource

DuBose Heyward, Porgy — Part II. (1925)

“ Ef I had my way, I'd go down tuh dat Noo Yo'k boat, an' take ebbery Gawd's nigger what come up de gang plank wid er Joseph coat on he back an' a glass headlight on he buzzom and drap um tuh de catfish befo' he foot hit decent groun'! Yas; my belly fair ache wid dis Noo Yo'k talk. De fus t'ing dat dem nigger fuhgit is dat dem is nigger. Den dem comes tuh dese decent country mens, and fills um full ob talk wut put money in de funeral ondehtakuh pocket. ”

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Source: Wikisource

DuBose Heyward, Porgy — Part II. (1925)

“ Fuh Gawd's sake, don't talk dat kind ob talk tuh dese hyuh boys. Dis county ain't nebber yit see a black man git lynch. Dese nigger knows folks, an' dey knows nigger. Fer Gawd' sake keep yuh mout' off w'ite lady. Yuh gots plenty ob yuh own color fuh talk 'bout. Stick tuh dem, an' yuh ain't git inter no trouble. ”

DuBose Heyward

Summary

Quotes from Porgy — Part II. (DuBose Heyward)

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