(title)Chiang, Chi-HsuanHistory of the American SouthClass: MW to 1600-1715(title) – 4-5 pagesThe Third Life of Grange Copeland is a novel by Alice Walker about the life of a black sharecropper in rural Georgia. Grange's life begins with his married life with Margaret as an optimistic sharecropper. However, by the time Brownfield was born, the exploitation of Grange's labor by the white landowner, leading to irreversible debt and spawning desperate frustration. Therefore, Grange's anger is wrongly directed towards his wife and son. On the other hand, Brownfield decides not to work for the same white man who controlled his father. Even though he tries to break away from Grange's behavior, he unknowingly becomes involved with Josie. However, when Brownfield falls in love with Mem and marries her, the same cycle begins again. I argue that as life constantly changes, Grange and Brownfield are forced to change as well, despite making difficult and often painful choices. Evidence of Grange's change is found throughout the novel. For example, Grange at the beginning is an angry and mean man. He runs his household without “any smile” and he takes “every action as a personal affront” (Walker, 9-10). Grange is so fed up with his life that he decided to just leave. Before doing so, he looks at his son, Brownfield, as the child pretends to sleep: "He saw him lean down to touch him. He saw his hand stop; just before she reaches his cheek -- He saw his father's hand turn, without touching him He saw him turn suddenly and leave the room” (Walker, 25). of his family. He was not even able to touch his son had then gone north However, when Grange returns from the North, he arrives in the middle of a paper... ilty, Brownfield, and none of. "We won't take a step in the right direction until we admit it," Grange told Brownfield (Walker, 265). By taking responsibility, instead of blaming someone else, Grange became a man. Grange wonders if he really has the power to change, even after taking responsibility for the problems he caused. He explains his dilemma to Ruth: “The problem with numbness is that it spreads to all your organs, mainly to your heart. Soon after, I no longer hear white people calling for help, I no longer hear black people. Maybe I can’t even hear you” (Walker, 268). Even though he wants to change and knows he has in some ways, he wonders if it's too late. Ruth is there to assure him that this is the case. She said to him: “You would hear me well!” (Walker, 268). Ruth is there to provide the love and reassurance Grange needs..