The short story “White Rat,” written by Gayl Jones in 1977, details the complex relationship of a very fair skinned African-American man, who we know as “White Rat,” and his wife, Maggie. The couple has a son together, “little Henry,” and we know that he has a clubbed foot, which is the root of much debate between the couple. Additionally, we know that Maggie has recently come back to the White Rat after leaving him due to his habits as an alcoholic. However, when she comes back she is pregnant with another man’s child, J.T. When she comes back the White Rat agrees to take her in and raise her next child with her along with little Henry.
In order to fully understand this story, the reader must be able to grasp the shifting tenses that Gayl Jones utilizes. From paragraph to paragraph or even sentence to sentence, Jones frequently shifts from the past to the present tense and if unaware of what is happening this story comes off as overly complex. This contributes to the complexity of the story, and furthermore develops the complexity of the couple’s relationship. Utilizing the “two tense” narrative structure Jones starts off the story in the present tense, but as the story progresses she flips more and more to the past and uncovers much of the couple’s unpleasant history. By deliberately flipping between the past and the present Jones is able to illustrate and highlight the many different complex layers of the couples relationship. Such as their conflict in determining who is responsible for little Henry’s clubbed foot and the White Rats drinking habits.
If Jones decided to tell the story in one linear direction it is quite possible that as the reader we would not have the same experience in understanding the intricacy of this couple and their lives. However, the multi-tense feature Jones incorporated was very compelling and allowed us, as the reader, to comprehend more of their relationship beyond the written language.