40 pages • 1 hour read
Forged By Fire
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Themes
Generational Cycles of Abuse
Several characters in the novel are dealing with the trauma and pain of abuse, which is often transferred to other characters—and in some cases taken out on themselves. Within Gerald’s family, there are complex cycles of abuse, which Gerald is the first to break out of, encouraging the possibility of a new chapter for his family by the end of the novel.
Monique is a complicated character since she is abusive with her children, but she is also abused by her husband. However, she lives in denial and refuses to see Jordan’s actions as abusive. She claims, “he’s a man…he’s stronger and tougher,” which makes it okay for him to be “a little rough sometimes” (60). Although Monique does not acknowledge Jordan’s actions as abusive, she tends to pass on this abuse to her children. For example, when Gerald confronts her about Jordan’s behavior, she “[throws] her purse at him” (79). This is just one instance of many throughout the novel wherein Monique directs physical or verbal abuse towards her children after being beaten or berated by Jordan.
In contrast to Monique, Angel internalizes the abuse she receives. For instance, when Jordan is arrested, she asks Gerald if she’s “bad” because “Jordan is going to get in trouble because of [her]” (78). Although Jordan is the perpetrator of violence, she believes “it’s all [her] fault” (78). Rather than redirecting her pain onto others, as Monique does, Angel turns inward and blames herself.
Since the beginning of the novel, Gerald has been abused. At first, like Angel, he internalizes and accepts his abuse and becomes “a quiet boy […] who rarely [shares] his dreams or fears with anyone” (20). However, after his time with Aunt Queen, he grows more confident and mature. He refuses to fall into the patterns of his mother and sister. Instead, he chooses to break out of this cycle, offering his sister unconditional support. Gerald protects her, cooks for her, and is always looking out for her.
By the end of the novel, the cycle of abuse seems to be broken. After Jordan dies, Monique is finally able to acknowledge “all the flames of pain and hatred [Jordan] had caused” (155). For most of the novel, mainly because of Jordan, Monique and Angel are trapped in toxic cycles. The novel depicts the various ways each character responds to abuse and trauma and ultimately overcomes it: Angel through dance, and Monique through finally becoming an involved parent.
Differences in Socioeconomic Class Among Black Americans
In the novel, not all the characters exist within the same social class. Some characters are poor, and others are wealthier. The novel highlights differences in class among the characters and how these differences color each character’s experience of the world. However, the novel manages to challenge expectations about class and refuses to place wealthier characters as inherently better or worse than poorer characters.
Money is a dominating factor in Gerald’s life. Monique struggles to provide for him and does not have a consistent source of income throughout the novel. The family’s need for money is one of the main reasons why Monique is reluctant to leave Jordan. This is evidenced through her response to Gerald when he confronts her about Jordan’s abuse. She reproaches him, telling him to “learn some respect” because Jordan “buys [him] food and clothes and tries to be a good father” (61). Due to financial constraints, the family needs Jordan, which causes Angel and Gerald to be on the receiving end of his abuse.
In contrast to Gerald’s family, the Washingtons are described as wealthier: “They had a finished rec room, a huge backyard, and a refrigerator that always seemed to be well stocked” (73). Gerald works jobs after school whereas Rob has a completely different relationship to money. For example, when Gerald, Rob, and their friends are at a restaurant, an old man “[gives] them each a ten-dollar bill,” and tells them to “enjoy their youth” (97). Rob “[thanks] him, then [gives] his ten dollars to the bus boy as a tip (97). Although Rob’s action is generous, it illustrates that he does not have the same financial situation as Gerald.
Though Gerald’s life is very difficult compared to the Washington family, the novel does not suggest that Gerald’s family is inherently bad because of their class. For instance, Aunt Queen is not wealthy, but she still provides a supportive environment for Gerald. The novel challenges assumptions and expectations about class. This is shown through Aunt Queen’s conversation with a doctor after the fire. He assumes “since this kid is poor and black and his mother is living alone and unmarried, his father must be long gone,” but Aunt Queen assures him that “there’s zillions of black families with a mama and a daddy and two kids like the ‘average’ American family” (17). Although Gerald’s father is unknown, Aunt Queen stresses the point that just because of Gerald’s race and class, the doctor should not assume he comes from a broken home or difficult family dynamic.
Healing as a Nonlinear Process
Although the novel depicts numerous scenes of violence and physical abuse, it is just as focused on showing how these characters heal and overcome these traumatic experiences. Over the course of the novel, Gerald and Angel find various outlets, communities, and sources of healing. However, their healing is not always linear. The novel does not suggest that Angel and Gerald’s traumatic experiences and memories are completely erased as their lives improve.
After Jordan goes to prison, Gerald finds a community on the basketball team. While playing basketball, he feels “whole and powerful” (95). On the team, Gerald has several friends, and basketball serves as an escape from his past. However, after Monique gets a job at the YMCA, she decides to go out and celebrate: “The click of her high heels” leaving the apartment “[reminds] Gerald of that day long ago, and he suddenly [feels] a little dizzy” (94). Although everything in his life seems to be moving in a positive direction, Gerald’s past still catches up with him. He remembers how Monique neglected him the night of the fire when he was little. This does not suggest that Gerald is regressing or that he is unable to move on, but rather that “all the hot fears and fiery memories…[are] only hidden, not forgotten” (30).
As Gerald joins the basketball team, Angel takes dance lessons: Dancing “[helps] Angel to heal and grow” (88). Because of her interactions with Jordan, Angel’s relationship to her body is altered. Dancing allows her to reclaim her body. As she dances, “all of the pain and memories of her past [grow] within her” and fade (121). However, when Jordan returns to the apartment, she is suddenly overwhelmed and “[throws] up the way she used to, the only way she knew to purge the tension of Jordan’s presence in the house” (105). Although it has been six years, Angel has a visceral reaction within her body after seeing Jordan. This reveals that though she is in a new chapter of her life, her memories are not completely erased, still live within her body, and can resurface.
The novel offers a very honest portrayal of recovering from trauma. It implies that trauma is never fully eradicated. This does not diminish the fact that Gerald and Angel are healing and continue to make strides throughout the novel. However, these memories can be triggered at any moment even as they continue to heal.
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