A Gathering of Men and Boys What is a man? Webster's first definition is: "an individual human being; esp. an adult male human," Not helpful. Perhaps the third part of that definition: "One possessing in a high degree the qualities considered distinctive of manhood." Ernest J. Gaines' comes up with the definition of a man in his novel, A Gathering of Old Men. In the book a porch in rural Louisiana becomes filled with old …showed first 75 words of 539 total…

…showed last 75 words of 539 total…touch my people ." (Candy about Mathu, 17), "I won't let them touch my people ." (Candy about Mathu, 17) and perhaps the greatest tribute to Mathu is how many people come out to support him. What is a man? A man stands up for himself and his loved ones. A man doesn't run from the threat of adversity. Above all a man knows right from wrong. "A man got to do what he think is right ." (Mathu page 85)