Blues for Mister Charlie is James Baldwin

James Baldwin (writer)

James Arthur Baldwin was an American novelist, essayist, playwright, poet, and social critic.Baldwin's essays, for instance "Notes of a Native Son" , explore palpable yet unspoken intricacies of racial, sexual, and class distinctions in Western societies, most notably in mid-20th century America,...

's second play. It was published in 1964. It is dedicated to the memory of Medgar Evers

Medgar Evers

Medgar Wiley Evers was an African American civil rights activist from Mississippi involved in efforts to overturn segregation at the University of Mississippi...

, and his widow and his children, and to the memory of the dead children of Birmingham

Birmingham, Alabama

Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama. The city is the county seat of Jefferson County. According to the 2010 United States Census, Birmingham had a population of 212,237. The Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area, in estimate by the U.S...

."

Plot introduction

In the aftermath of Richard Henry's murder, Lyle's trial gives way to a reflection upon racism in America

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

.

Title explanation

'Mister Charlie' is a phrase used by African Americans that refers to the white man.

Characters

Meridian Henry, a Negro Minister.

Tom,
Ken,
Arthur,
Juanita,
Lorenzo,
Pete, all Negro students.

Mother Henry, Meridian Henry’s mother.
Lyle Britten, a white storeowner.
Jo Britten, Lyle’s wife.
Parnell James, editor of the local newspaper.
Richard, Meridian Henry’s son.
Papa D., owner of a juke joint.

Hazel,
Lillian,
Susan,
Ralph,
Ellis,
Rev. Phelps,
George, all white townspeople.

The State

Counsel for the Bereaved

Congregation of Rev. Henry’s church, Pallbearers, Blacktown, Whitetown