Seraph on the Suwanee notes

Seraph on the Suwanee Collected Notes

We begin with the title. What’s a seraph? A seraph is like an angel, a celestial being of the highest order. So who is the angel in this story? Is it Arvay Henson, dejected, inhibited by her own imagination, always suffering from feelings of inferiority, but basically a good person? Or is it Jim Henson, her husband, a bit devilish in a harmless way, but always misogynistic, always domineering? My vote goes for Arvay as the angelic being, especially considering her spoken desire to become a missionary in her youth. Jim, her husband, may be the one most in need of her angelic powers, though his actions as a serial entrepreneur are certainly commendable. He is a good provider, it’s just that he never meets Arvay at her level, or even at a common level, contributing to her feelings of insecurity.

Early attempts at titles: Sang the Suwanee in the Spring, The Queen of the Golden Hand, Angel in the Bed, Lady angel With Her Man, Seraph with a Man on Hand, So Said the Sea, Good Morning Sun, Seraph on the Suwanee River

Hurston dedicates the novel to Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, writer and novelist, and Mary Spessard Holland, wife of a Florida politician who served as governor (most of the novel is set in Florida) and later as US Senator. The opening chapter gives us the lay of the land, so to speak. We learn that Arvay’s home is poor and poverty stricken, religious but plagued by hookworm and malaria.  Arvay has a secret crush on her brother-in-law, which she refers to as mental adultery in her teenage years. Her older sister, Larraine, notices the attraction and moves in on the vulnerable young man, gets married to him, and starts a family, much to Arvay’s regret. It’s a tiny part of the evolving story that passes innocently enough, but the suppressed relationship becomes a much larger point of contention in their later lives.

There is a passing reference to songwriter Stephen Foster, whose songs included such hits as Suwannee River, Old Black Joe, My Old Kentucky Home and Beautiful Dreamer. We have a picture of the landscape: reddened river with roots exposed, scant flowers and vegetation, Hurston discusses the memories of the old South, the Civil War and reconstruction and there is a passing reference to Negroes in the town. Church-going seems to be the central activity of the community

Arvay has spasms, seizures that are not well explained. Such seizures may be caused by epilepsy, congenital birth defects, and central nervous system infections. In an environment such as the one described, these possibilities exist. Her mother gives her turpentine oil dissolved in a spoonful of sugar, a popular “remedy” in the deep south at the turn of the century. Later, when Arvay’s first born arrives with birth defects, we wonder how much the environment and her prior medical history may have influenced the situation.

Arvay, according to the narrator (p. 9), “was timid from feeling unsafe inside.” Also, the narrator informs us that years of showing a preference for her sister, Larraine, “had done something to Arvay’s soul across the years.” (p.11)

During their courtship, we learn that Arvay is descended from poor whites, but Jim is a few generations removed from plantation owners, slave owners whose fortunes had been wiped out by the Civil War and the end of slavery.

The church parade for dating couples (p. 23)

The lightning story (p. 27)

Arvay’s seizure (p. 31 – 32)

Marriage proposal (p. 39)

In-depth knowledge of turpentine business (p.42)

Rape invitation (p. 49, along with other chit-chat between Jim and Joe

The rape (p. 51)

Arvay is raped by her prospective husband, Jim, before their wedding. She ultimately acquiesces and finds an accommodation as she is informed by her mother that she will be raped again and again if she considers it as such, and won’t be in a position to tell her father each time it happens. It’s not the beginning of Arvay’s descent into insecurity, but it is certainly a critical contribution. Mind you this is a white family in the deep south, but the issues that confront them are more determined by class structure and family dynamics, and only racial as an afterthought. 

Arvay’s music talents, power of synesthesia (p. 59, p. 76)

Joe is Jim’s Pet Negro (p. 61)

Dessie first to notice Arvay’s pregnancy (p. 63)

Arvay develops a craving for red clay (p. 65)

Arvay and Jim discuss Cain and Abel (p. 65 – 66)

Arvay’s firstborn, Earl arrives in ch. 5. He has physical deformities and mental and emotional disabilities, and exhibits symptoms of muscular dystrophy and cerebral palsy. Could his symptoms be related to Arvay’s seizures during her teenage years? Arvay dotes over him and is over protective of him because of his disabilities, and responds strongly to criticisms of him.

Music on the instrument of life (p. 76)

Arvay discovers she is pregnant again (p. 77)

Jim purchases a home for Arvay and their growing family, (p. 77)

New baby coming. Arvay scraps to make things better but Arvay doesn’t really appreciate the value of Jim’s efforts. No real partnership. (p. 82-83)

Jim goes into the fruit business, selling his stake in the moonshine still. (p. 83)

Angeline is born. She is beautiful. Jim takes to her quickly., spoils her by favoring her over other children and even Arvay herself. (p. 85)

Jim drinks and gets into fights more. (p. 88-89)

Arvay gets pregnant a third time. JIm says he doesn’t want a girl, making Arvay upset (p. 97)

Upset, Arvay prays for a boy. (p.99)

Then Arvay prays the Lord will take the baby away, upset with Jim, and first entertains the idea of leaving Jim because of something silly he says. Doubts about the marriage.  (p. 103-104)

First mention of Arvay’s eye color change when she is aroused (p. 106)

Jim reveals his own insecurities to the narrator (p. 104-105)

Kenny (a boy) is born. Jim adds a Florida room to the house. (p. 106-107)

Kenny loves playing with Belinda, Joe and Dessie’s daughter. Belinda is acrobatic and can dance while standing on her head. (p. 111)

Joe invests his still money into real estate. (p. 117)

As Earl grows older, Arvay’s husband suggests he be “put away.” (p. 124)