Summary
Alex Cross's Trial is a true story of the Cross family's struggles and the horrors they faced during the Ku Klux Klan era. A Washington D.C. lawyer, Ben Corbett, who grew up in Eudora Mississippi returns home at the request of President Roosevelt to determine the severity of the lynching crisis in the town. Ben is told to get in contact with Abraham Cross, a wise man on the issue, to work with him in solving the problem of blacks being killed. While Ben is in Eudora his wife and children are left behind in D.C. and want him home, causing him to work quickly and efficiently to bring justice to the south. He quickly realizes that he will not only need more time to solve this crisis, but will be fighting for his own survival throughout his work. He is viewed as far too loyal to the black community of the town, and this makes him a traitor and an enemy.
Ben then goes on to witness multiple lynchings that terrify him. While investigating these lynchings, another man is killed and this time it is more personal to him. He and a friend leave in the night to help protect the victim's family, the Crosses, when their house and property is attacked by the Ku Klux Klan. Men are killed and some of the Klan members are arrested. A court date is set and brings more attention than any trial in the century. Debate goes on and on, all while more people are being tortured and killed. Ben too finds himself fighting for his life when he is hanged but survives the rope. He lives to tell the full story of what occurred to him and the Cross family, but in the end a white jury finds the murderers not guilty. Ben is heartbroken at what has been allowed to happen, but the African-Americans feel that it is a step in the right direction just to see white men arrested in the first place. In the end, Ben reports back to the President where he is let down to find out that Roosevelt did not actually care about the lynching crisis, but only how he could gain votes by acting that he cared. Maybe next time is all Ben can hope for as the Ku Klux Klan continues its terror.
Ben then goes on to witness multiple lynchings that terrify him. While investigating these lynchings, another man is killed and this time it is more personal to him. He and a friend leave in the night to help protect the victim's family, the Crosses, when their house and property is attacked by the Ku Klux Klan. Men are killed and some of the Klan members are arrested. A court date is set and brings more attention than any trial in the century. Debate goes on and on, all while more people are being tortured and killed. Ben too finds himself fighting for his life when he is hanged but survives the rope. He lives to tell the full story of what occurred to him and the Cross family, but in the end a white jury finds the murderers not guilty. Ben is heartbroken at what has been allowed to happen, but the African-Americans feel that it is a step in the right direction just to see white men arrested in the first place. In the end, Ben reports back to the President where he is let down to find out that Roosevelt did not actually care about the lynching crisis, but only how he could gain votes by acting that he cared. Maybe next time is all Ben can hope for as the Ku Klux Klan continues its terror.
Essay
Overview: Justice and equality have long been fought for, and it is often seen that persevering through suffering and betrayal is commonly what it takes to be successful in accomplishing goals.
Dillon Pilkerton
Alex Cross's Trial Essay
When fighting for justice people often face many forms of adversity and hardships that must be overcome in order to have a successful outcome. In the case of Alex Cross’s Trial, both white and black men endure horrific treatment as they work towards achieving equality for African-Americans in the south. People are not trusted for who they are in this novel and instead are judged purely on their outward appearance. This outward appearance determines completely how people are treated, and due to this many people are tortured and murdered throughout this true story. As it is proven in this novel and in life, executing justice often requires perseverance through suffering and betrayal.
Many people have to push through rough and frightening times when acting in the name of justice. Lives can be threatened, making bravery and courage extremely important. People sometimes would rather give up and feel sorry for themselves than have to deal with roadblocks in the way. The novel gives an example of this when “Moody started to cry, and [Ben] remembered something his Mama always used to say: When the time comes you want to start crying, that’s the time to start moving”(190). Crying does no good when persevering for something. It is better to keep moving forward, fighting for the right cause, than it is to stop and cry. Stopping will only lead to more damage and harm.
Another common occurrence that comes with justice is suffering. People typically have to endure some kind of pain in order to truly find justice. When the main character Ben was on his journey of standing up for his beliefs, he both had to witness horrendous suffering, and be harmed himself. He remembers, “Now that [he] was close to the bodies, [he] saw the welts left by whips, the bloody wounds covering almost every part of their bodies. The older man’s arm hung down from his shoulder by a few bloody tendons”(96). The suffering these men faced is vividly described and sends chills through those who witnessed it. Their pain was all in the name of justice for them and their families who have been badly wronged by white men. When people see what harm can be brought to them if they do not obey the majority, they cannot be trusted to do what is right.
Betrayal is often seen when the pressure of suffering is weighing down on them. Close friends can no longer be relied on, because there is no telling what they might do when their life is threatened. Ben realizes this is the case when he finds himself at a KKK meeting. He states, “One by one the men around me began taking off their hoods. I knew most of them. The Methodist minister. A farm products salesman. The county surveyor. So this was the dreaded Ku Klux Klan”(175). When well known people turn out to be different from who they portray themselves as, it can be shocking and heartbreaking. It can often create a situation where someone becomes singled out because their own friends and family are not brave enough to stand with them.
Although it should be simple and easy, justice is not. Suffering and betrayal is often a product of justice, and it takes a huge amount of perseverance to push through. Especially in the times of the KKK in the south, gaining equality took tremendous acts of bravery and courage. Often people stand alone in fighting for their rights and beliefs, making their efforts that much more challenging, yet that much more important.
Alex Cross's Trial Essay
When fighting for justice people often face many forms of adversity and hardships that must be overcome in order to have a successful outcome. In the case of Alex Cross’s Trial, both white and black men endure horrific treatment as they work towards achieving equality for African-Americans in the south. People are not trusted for who they are in this novel and instead are judged purely on their outward appearance. This outward appearance determines completely how people are treated, and due to this many people are tortured and murdered throughout this true story. As it is proven in this novel and in life, executing justice often requires perseverance through suffering and betrayal.
Many people have to push through rough and frightening times when acting in the name of justice. Lives can be threatened, making bravery and courage extremely important. People sometimes would rather give up and feel sorry for themselves than have to deal with roadblocks in the way. The novel gives an example of this when “Moody started to cry, and [Ben] remembered something his Mama always used to say: When the time comes you want to start crying, that’s the time to start moving”(190). Crying does no good when persevering for something. It is better to keep moving forward, fighting for the right cause, than it is to stop and cry. Stopping will only lead to more damage and harm.
Another common occurrence that comes with justice is suffering. People typically have to endure some kind of pain in order to truly find justice. When the main character Ben was on his journey of standing up for his beliefs, he both had to witness horrendous suffering, and be harmed himself. He remembers, “Now that [he] was close to the bodies, [he] saw the welts left by whips, the bloody wounds covering almost every part of their bodies. The older man’s arm hung down from his shoulder by a few bloody tendons”(96). The suffering these men faced is vividly described and sends chills through those who witnessed it. Their pain was all in the name of justice for them and their families who have been badly wronged by white men. When people see what harm can be brought to them if they do not obey the majority, they cannot be trusted to do what is right.
Betrayal is often seen when the pressure of suffering is weighing down on them. Close friends can no longer be relied on, because there is no telling what they might do when their life is threatened. Ben realizes this is the case when he finds himself at a KKK meeting. He states, “One by one the men around me began taking off their hoods. I knew most of them. The Methodist minister. A farm products salesman. The county surveyor. So this was the dreaded Ku Klux Klan”(175). When well known people turn out to be different from who they portray themselves as, it can be shocking and heartbreaking. It can often create a situation where someone becomes singled out because their own friends and family are not brave enough to stand with them.
Although it should be simple and easy, justice is not. Suffering and betrayal is often a product of justice, and it takes a huge amount of perseverance to push through. Especially in the times of the KKK in the south, gaining equality took tremendous acts of bravery and courage. Often people stand alone in fighting for their rights and beliefs, making their efforts that much more challenging, yet that much more important.
Favorite Quote
"'Why does the crowd lift no hand or voice in protest?' Twain said. 'Only because it would be unpopular to do it, I think. Each man is afraid of his neighbor's disapproval - a thing which, to the general run of the race, is more dreaded than wounds and death'"(130).
People tend to do what is popular, not what is right. Being disliked, to most people, is more frightening than being a bad person. Many people would rather stay silent and allow horrible events to occur than speak up for what is right but goes against the crowd.
This quote stood out to me because it not only described people's actions when fighting for equality, but people's actions in everyday life. This is especially seen in school settings where kids are terrified to do what is right because of how those actions might affect their relationship with friends and other students.
People tend to do what is popular, not what is right. Being disliked, to most people, is more frightening than being a bad person. Many people would rather stay silent and allow horrible events to occur than speak up for what is right but goes against the crowd.
This quote stood out to me because it not only described people's actions when fighting for equality, but people's actions in everyday life. This is especially seen in school settings where kids are terrified to do what is right because of how those actions might affect their relationship with friends and other students.
Themes
Racism
An obvious and prevalent theme throughout this novel is racism and its grip of the south. Slaves have been freed, but are treated far worse during this time as they attempt gaining equality.
An obvious and prevalent theme throughout this novel is racism and its grip of the south. Slaves have been freed, but are treated far worse during this time as they attempt gaining equality.
Courage
Both Ben and his black friends display tremendous courage as they fight for justice. They all know they are likely to be lynched for their actions, but remain brave when standing up for what is right.
Both Ben and his black friends display tremendous courage as they fight for justice. They all know they are likely to be lynched for their actions, but remain brave when standing up for what is right.
Betrayal
Ben is betrayed by many childhood friends when they find out he is standing up for the African-Americans in the community. His best friend attempts to kill him, while another friend turns him in to the Ku Klux Klan.
Ben is betrayed by many childhood friends when they find out he is standing up for the African-Americans in the community. His best friend attempts to kill him, while another friend turns him in to the Ku Klux Klan.