In Ernest J. Gaines, “The Sky is Gray,” is a story of a woman during World War II, who is faced with the challenges of raising and providing for her family financially in the absent of her husband because of the war. Her realistic attitude about her role as head of the family in the absent of her husband has changed her dramatically. The happy and cheerful social person Octavia once was is transformed into an abusive, demanding, but compassionate woman.

Octavia, the mother who assumes the role as head of the family abusive behavior is describe by James, her son, in which his description fosters that of a tuff, no nonsense kind of woman. Her abusiveness can be seen in many instances, for example, the constant “whipping” of Ty, another one of her sons, because of his fear of “ghosts” (4). Another prime example and show of Octavia’s abusive trait as depicted by James, “She slapped me again” (

Like most mothers, Octavia is compassionate in many respects. The moment she learns of James’s situation, in which his tooth was causing him great pain (paragraph 30), she hesitated not, although economically incapable to afford the dentist, takes James to have the tooth removed. Knowing very well she has not a dime more to spare, “You Hungry?” Octavia utters to James (paragraph 262), is simply another example of her compassion not to let James suffer from starvation regardless of her economic situation. Octavia’s reaction is typical of a caring, loving, and compassionate mother who is struggling to maintain.

A. The constant “whipping” of Ty, who is fearful of ghosts marks Octavia’s abusive behavior (paragraph 4).

I. Octavia is force into assuming the role as head of the family and becomes abusive.

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