《艾麗斯·沃克小說研究》：
4.2.1.2 Grange9s New Life: The Revival of Manhood and Humanity Grange's third life witnesses his real change, the regeneration of his humanity and soul. Back in Baker County, "he is able to, as his name suggests,'cope' with his 'land' " and " build a ' grange' or farm which will nourish himself and others. " （Butler, 1993: 201） It is this farm life that endows Grange with the independence and freedom that enable him to take the " fundamental human responsibility" which is absent in his first life, i. e. in his life with Margaret and Brownfield. To show his repentance for his wife and son's suffering and to thank Josie, "the only person in the world who loved him," Grange, on the one hand, marries Josie shortly after his return from Harlem and undertakes the role of husband, providing Josie with the love between a man and a woman which he fails to provide for Margaret. （A. Walker, 1970: 156） On the other hand, despite his son Brownfield's spite against him, Grange manages to assume the role of father by assisting Mem and bringing his granddaughters food and fruits. Upon Mem's murder by Brownfield, he thoroughly embraces the role of "father" in his granddaughter Ruth's life, offering her the love and care which he fails to give to Brownfield in his son's childhood. He not merely provides Ruth with a "snug house" and adequate nourishing food but good schooling as well. （69） He manages to arrange for her to attend school and, more importantly, teach her "the realities of life. " （139） His rich experience and wide knowledge of black folklore are an endless resource to Ruth. In the several happy and valuable years they live together, Grange nourishes Ruth's mind and soul. He conceives himself as a teacher who can instill racial pride and individual identity in Ruth, and as a redeemer who can save Ruth from self-hate and helplessness. He devotes himself to preparing " Ruth for some great and Herculean tasks," i. e. , to awakening her to the sense of self-identity and the pursuit of a new life. （198） He even steals books-books ranging from mythology through geography to romantic rebellionfrom the white library to broaden Ruth's horizons and stir her imaginations. He also informs her with the episodes from the Bible, especially those such as the story of Exodus that can empower her with the compelling myth of an oppressed people who triumph over difficult circumstances through the strength of their will and spirit, so that she can avoid the "numbness" which has blighted so much of his own life. On Ruth's sixteenth birthday he buys her an automobile-an image of power and independence-and begins saving money for her further studies at college. In so doing, Grange suggests his affirmation of her growing independence and his understanding of her desire to leave home. In a word, Grange tries to give everything he could gain to Ruth and ultimately sacrifices himself for her secure and happy future. Thus Grange's recovery of the meaningful roles of farmer, and husband and father in particular results in his regeneration. Starting a "third" life, Grange takes a decisive step toward the regain of his manhood and humanity. Simultaneously Grange learns that his freedom depends on relation, not on isolated autonomy.
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