Eudora Welty "Powerhouse"

Powerhouse, to me, by his description, represents something for everyone. He seems to possess an array of physical characteristics and presentational qualities. He appears to be a performer for the people, not a “show-off”, but drawing the audience in, even if it’s just for that moment in time. This is an element Eudora Welty is known to include in her writings: the appropriate location of the appropriate action. She writes with great description and expression. Powerhouse is a character connecting with the audience as he performs at the moment at any given location before he moves on to the next location. However, it seems in this instance, he is performing before an audience who doesn’t seem to care for his presentation. But, nonetheless, he and his band give it their all just as they would for an encouraging and participating group of people.

As the band breaks for intermission after playing the dreaded requested waltz of the white audience, Powerhouse and his crew leave for an establishment for their break. As they leave, they are confronted by a group of Negros, his true followers. He then seems to go into full performer mode. He begins to tell what he believes an account of his wife’s death, but with emotion and sensation. The crowd stands in awe, then presenting their gift, or offering, to this man they see as a god. They present a man who had pulled drowned white victims from a creek after their boat sank. Powerhouse acknowledges him and continues telling his story, as if a prize to the man.

I have to declare I really did not understand this short story. I can appreciate the entertainment from the writing but I would not be able to explain to someone the author’s purpose or the true plot of it. I was not able to know the true situation with Gypsy and what happened with her. I will be looking to the blogs for enlightenment from others.