The Book: ‘Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil’ by Berendt Research Paper

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Abstract

The book: ‘midnight in the garden of good and evil’ by Berendt, unfolds seemingly fictionalized events that revolved within the west savannah region of which; most of such events were actual life happenings that took place during such times. The general plot of the book depicts real-life events that are not fiction, and those which happened around the 1980s.

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The situation as explained in the novel is that; some of the barbaric practices as originated from African-Americans represented people who took and adopted given practices to protect themselves from the suppression by others. Infact, as the novel unfolds; some of these superstitious situations were used by some individuals to gain power and popularity in society.

This research paper will unveil the significance of this book: ‘The midnight on the garden of good and evil’ by Berendt to the current contemporary society in the Savanna region.

Introduction

The ‘Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil’ by John Berendt is a very touching novel, which depicts a variety of personalities and characteristics in the great savanna region. It was his first book that was published in the New York Times and became very popular during those times. Sometimes afterward a movie based on the book was staged; as directed by Eastwood (Muller 124-141).

The killing of Danny Hansford is one of the major actions in the book that steers up and increases the speed at which events unfold in the story. Hansford was a male prostitute who was assassinated by Jim Williams. It clearly comes out that, Williams and Hansford had a quarrel over a lover which is the absolute cause of the assassination of Danny Hansford (Muller 124-141).

As it comes out, four murder trials had been made in which in the last one, Jim was perceived innocent despite being guilty; leading to the case being adjourned and being moved from the Savanna region. Meanwhile, the death of Danny Hanson is being described on the basis of a mere alienation, but not a pre-determined one.

Most of the residents in the Savanna region engage in creative arts like being entertainers and actors. As the book reveals, most of the drag artists varied in class and culture within the same city; who were of all genders and engaged in artistic work for various purposes (Muller 124-141).

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Voodoo practices in the savannah region

Voodoo refers to the various cultural practices that were done by African-American residents in the Savanna region. This culture marked a significant reflection of what happened amongst many Africans, in spite of being in foreign countries.

Berendt portrays voodoo events precisely in this book which at a deeper examination of the events taking place; can be clearly observed that some activities described in the book seem to be fictitious to some extent. This book portrays a time of good magic and a time of bad magic in the public cemetery of Bonaventure (Muller 124-141).

These times are characterized by different cultural practices that were done, and which to a great extent influenced the general activities of the people. For instance, in the book “The Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil”, it can be seen that after the death of Danny Hansford which occurred at Williams premises; (initially put up by Mercer John who was one of the great natives of Savanna region), induced a lot of fear among the people. Consequently, his case in the court about the murder of Danny Hansford was adjourned and moved from the savannah region (Rigaud 94- 109).

As it happened in Georgia, most of the Africans were practicing sorcery and other barbaric practices, which led to the thriving of many fears and some daring practices in the west savannah regions. From these practices, some people were benefiting greatly while others were severely suffering from such; which later on led to the cemetery of Bonaventure be the garden for both good and evil. The sculpture of ‘the bird girl’ appearing on the cover of the book ‘midnight in the garden of good and bad’ was of great significance (Rigaud 94- 109).

The two bowls held by the statue; one on the right hand and the other on the left actually indicate some kind of balance between the evils and good; people do within the west savannah region. More precisely, this indicated a situation whereby some groups of individuals benefited from the cultural practices that prevailed, while others became the ultimate losers in various activities during such times (Rigaud 94- 109).

The tilting of the head towards the left side indicated a situation of some injustice due to some inevitable circumstances. This can be well seen when Danny Hanson is assassinated, and the court seems to deviate from giving a judgment to the assassins by withdrawing the case from the west savannah region (Thompson 31-57).

In his work, Berendt portrays voodoo practices accurately and depicts how such practices significantly affected the contemporary savannah culture.

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The ‘night garden of good and evil’ as it comes out to be; is the public cemetery in Georgia. At this great public cemetery, many spiritual events are believed to have occurred; some of which depict the voodoo cultural practices during that time.

On the cover of the book stands the bird girl sculpture; a statue located at the cemetery of Bonaventure. This sculpture on the cover of the book of the midnight garden of good and evil had a lot to convey and to help understand what the novel really entailed (Thompson 31-57).

Significance of voodoo in the contemporary savannah culture

The superstitious traditions that were prevailing during those times; in a way affected the way of life for the people living in the savannah region. Some of the cultural practices in the region are greatly influenced, to an extent of even affecting justice affairs (Thompson 31-57).

The statue of the bird girl, for instance, has a lot to convey and transmit concerning what the novel talks about. The death of Danny Hansford can be described as a ‘voodoo death’; as it occurred at a place that was traditionally regarded as the ‘garden of evil’ while at the same time it was the same place that some people progressed (Rigaud 94- 109).

This affected the contemporary savanna culture in the sense that as Berendt presented the story in his novel; some good has to be found within a society while at the same time bad is found within the same society (Muller 124-141).

Conclusion

John Berendt’s ‘Midnight in the Garden of God and Evil’ is a book that has been of great significance in the contemporary savanna region. Most of the practices in the current society are deeply rooted in the practices that were carried out during those times when the book was written. From research, the current society is strongly built on the cultural beliefs and practices evident in the book. It can therefore be recommended that writers of books should be more focused on the people’s way of life so as to influence also the future generation’s lifestyle.

Works cited

Muller, Klaus. “Soul of Africa Magical Rites and Traditions”. New York: Konemann Publishers. (2000): 124-141.

Rigaud, Milo. “Secrets of Voodoo”. City Lights Publishers; Reprint edition (2001): 94-109.

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Thompson, Robert. “Flash of the Spirit: African & Afro-American Art & Philosophy”, 1st Edition. New York: Vintage publishers. (1984): 31-57.

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"The Book: ‘Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil’ by Berendt." IvyPanda, 20 Dec. 2021, ivypanda.com/essays/the-book-midnight-in-the-garden-of-good-and-evil-by-berendt/.

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IvyPanda. 2021. "The Book: ‘Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil’ by Berendt." December 20, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-book-midnight-in-the-garden-of-good-and-evil-by-berendt/.

1. IvyPanda. "The Book: ‘Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil’ by Berendt." December 20, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-book-midnight-in-the-garden-of-good-and-evil-by-berendt/.


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IvyPanda. "The Book: ‘Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil’ by Berendt." December 20, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-book-midnight-in-the-garden-of-good-and-evil-by-berendt/.

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