Pioneers, Oh, Pioneers

 Pioneers, Oh, Pioneers Jean Rhys

    A peculiar man by the name of Mr. Ramage takes center stage in Pioneers, Oh, Pioneers. The story is in some part a commentary on how rumors can get out of hand and how strong opinions can easily be formed. "But Already public opinion was turning on Ramage", after Ramage was found dead many people still described him as essentially a crazy person and a nuisance. What's odd about Ramage's descent into infamy on the island is that much of it was circumstantial and built on speculation. "if he had shown the slightest consciousness of the fact that he was stark naked", Ramage begins to find problems after being caught naked coming out of the ocean. There didn't appear to me mal-intent in his actions he just happened to be found at the wrong time. This is much more commonplace today with the internet and social media often catching celebrities doing misleading things or at the wrong time entirely but never meant for the viewing of the public.

"And they found Ramage and the shotgun and got no explanation", it's almost strange how a seemingly insignificant chain of events snowballed into the death of Ramage. Prior to his death Ramage attracted rioters to his house who were convinced he had something to do with the disappearance of his wife. In reality, she was away, but how quickly they were to storm his property and breed hate based on rumors were what was startling. Ramage's death was accidental but still was pointless and didn't have to happen. Society doesn't favor people it can't get a read on or that hide from it altogether. Ramage's death was built on speculation and mob rule. I think it's crazy how quickly people will become polarized on issues and take up arms on things they don't fully understand. Ramage was seemingly eccentric and lived differently than most but he shouldn't have had to die for that. He fell victim to the citizens who had nothing better than to do but to speculate and cause problems. They simply had nothing to do so an angry mob became their flavor of the week, I think Pioneers tells us to be careful on starting rumors and passing judgement because you never know what it may lead to.

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