Roger Mais's "Red Dirt Don't Wash"

     In this story, we see people from two different societal classes interacting with one another and see one of these people try to make a 'jump' up into the next spot in the hierarchy where he may not necessarily fit naturally. Seeing the interactions between these two people shows how difficult it was to change preconceived notions of social class and how people in upper classes treated those in a lower, working class. The woman in the story, Miranda was from a 'higher society' style, being "city-bred, house-broke, and all the things that he wasn't. She had training. She had refinement, culture." While she may have not been economically rich, she is still looked up to and seen in an aspirational situation by Adrian. Adrian comes from a lower, working class place, looked as 'dirty' by the rest of society. When he looks at someone like Miranda, he recognizes his place in the world, as the story says, "Made him aware of his own grossness, his own inferiority, his own lack of polish and refinement. Made him aware of his own soiled and patched clothes." He thinks he has to appear a certain way just to be able to fit in and talk to someone like Miranda, as she is not interested in someone with the red dirt look like he has.

    Simply changing his appearance and buying a new pair of shoes does not change who he is, though. As Miranda says it, "You can't educate them feet to shoes, big boy. Not as long as you live. You'll always feel as though you were wearing shoes and you'll look just the way you feel." She, like anyone would, sees that this is not a natural look or feel for him. He cannot pretend to be something he is not. Unfortunately, he had to learn this lesson the hard way, but once he returns to his home, where the red dirt is, he is more comfortable. The story tells an interesting story about what we think we need to be happy and what actually provides us with this happiness and sense of belonging. It is not necessarily trying to reach into other places you are not welcomed, but instead enjoying what you have and already love. 

-cs


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