Plantation

By Jane Athay

General Context

The word plantation originally means “to plant” but has come to refer to the labor-intensive agricultural productions which became the backbone of the economy of the Southern United States. Plantations were intensive agricultural farms specializing in what became known as “cash crops,” to be sold for profit in typically foreign markets. Notable cash crops included tobacco, cotton, sugar cane, and indigo, all of which became particularly profitable ventures for plantation owners. Plantations were originally worked by indentured servants, but towards the late 1600’s plantation labor primarily became enslaved people taken from Africa. The production of these crops was intensive and relied on the harsh and cruel exploitation of these people.

Following the abolition of slavery in the States on December 6, 1865, the plantation system changed. No longer able to rely on cheap slave labor, plantation owners developed a system known as sharecropping, where tenant farmers would work the land in exchange for part of the crop. This system lasted around 80 years.

Despite changes in the South, the plantation remained a vital component of the South’s reliance on agriculture for many years. While some plantations still operate today, they are no longer the same economic force they once were.

Connection to Novel

The novel takes place on Hebert Plantation in 1940’s Louisiana. At this point in the fictional plantation’s life, the land is worked by several groups of people. The front section of the land is worked by sharecroppers. The best, and most front, land is worked by the Cajuns, while black workers had the middle and worst land. The farthest back section is worked under Hebert’s direct control. Marcus is a part of the third category of plantation workers. As part of his bond, Marcus is to work the land to pay off the debt.

Ernest J. Gaines grew up on River Lake Plantation, near New Roads, LA. His experiences growing up on a plantation inspired parts of the novel.