The Trees

“Money, Mississippi, looks exactly like it sounds. Named in that persistent Southern tradition of irony and with the attendant tradition of nescience, the name becomes slightly sad, a marker of self-conscious ignorance that might as well be embraced because, let’s face it, it isn’t going away.”

Everett begins his novel with irony and humor. Everett identifies this irony as distinctly Southern, placing the novel in a position of authority to speak on Southern issues with other Southern writers, like Mark Twain, whom Everett describes as an inspiration to his writing.

“Mr. Mayor, this here is the sovereign state of Mississippi. There ain’t no law enforcement, there’s just rednecks like me paid by rednecks like you.”

In this quote, Sheriff Jetty humorously reveals what Everett sees as a serious issue. Law enforcement in Mississippi is run by mostly white people. Before the distrust of law enforcement by Black characters is revealed, Money is established as a metaphorically lawless place due to its socio-economic status. Sheriff Jetty’s use of the word “redneck” is an act of reclamation tinged with pride.

“Ed and Jim were not officially partners, but they were often paired because they were both difficult for others to work with. They actually liked each other, though it was unclear if either liked anyone else. More important, they trusted each other.”

The reader is presented with the expectation that there is something unlikeable about both Ed and Jim, but these unlikeable traits are never revealed, implying that others do not wish to work with them because they are Black. Ed and Jim’s trust and partnership while surrounded by white racists is an important dynamic in this novel.