The Sport of the Gods · Chapter
XVII: A Yellow Journal explained
Mr.
What happens
Mr. Skaggs writes a sensational exposé for the yellow journal The Universe, revealing Maurice Oakley's guilt and Berry Hamilton's wrongful conviction. The story sparks public outcry, leading to Berry's pardon after five years in prison. Berry is released and brought to New York, where he is paraded for publicity before being given his wife's address to learn the fate of his family.
Themes in this chapter
Racial Injustice
Berry Hamilton's wrongful conviction and five-year imprisonment highlight the systemic racism in the Southern legal system, where a Black man suffers for a white man's crime.
Hypocrisy and Self-Deception
The Universe claims to be the friend of the oppressed while using Berry's story for sensationalist profit; Southern gentlemen like Colonel Saunders and Horace Talbot prioritize family honor over justice.
Cycle of Suffering and Fate
Berry's release brings no true restoration; he emerges broken and numb, and the chapter foreshadows further tragedy as he learns of his children's fate.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Skaggs
Writes the exposé and orchestrates Berry's release, then brings him to New York for publicity.
- Berry Hamilton
Released from prison after five years; physically and emotionally changed, he is brought to New York and given his wife's address.
- Maurice Oakley
Descends into madness, raving his secret openly, bringing shame upon his family.
- Colonel Saunders
Expresses hurt and outrage that Skaggs, a reporter, deceived him and exposed a Southern family's shame.
- Horace Talbot
Defends the Southern honor and argues that Berry's life in prison was closer to the ideal of slavery.
- Fannie Hamilton
Mentioned as Berry's wife; he is given her address to learn about their children.
Key passages
“A corporation, he argued, had no soul, and therefore no conscience. How much less, then, should so small a part of a great corporation as himself be expected to have them?”
Skaggs rationalizes his unethical methods by claiming that since a corporation lacks a conscience, he as its employee is also free from moral responsibility.
Skaggs justifies his actions by appealing to the amorality of the corporate structure.
“The Universe was yellow. It was very so. But it had power and keenness and energy. It never lost an opportunity to crow, and if one was not forthcoming, it made one.”
The Universe was a sensationalist newspaper, but it was also effective and proactive in creating stories to boast about.
Describes the dual nature of yellow journalism: unethical but impactful.
“Berry had forgotten Fannie, and for the first time his heart thrilled within him at the thought of seeing her again.”
Berry, who had lost all hope and connection to his past, feels a surge of emotion at the prospect of reuniting with his wife.
Berry's emotional reawakening after years of numbness.