In the Heat of the Night free essay sample

The novel â€Å"In the Heat of the Night† introduces the reader to two characters, Virgil Tibbs and Bill Gillespie. Virgil Tibbs is a homicide detective at the Pasadena Police department, and Bill Gillespie is the Chief of Police for Wells County. In the novel they are shown as two completely opposite characters whose personalities differ almost completely. The basic aspect of the novel is how during the 1960’s people in the south underwent severe racism and prejudice. The novel also depicts how because of those racial tensions the way these two characters interact with each other and how that is evident. In the beginning of the novel we are introduced to Virgil Tibbs. He is shown as a wealthy, highly educated, and confident young African American. Virgil Tibbs is introduced to us as a prime suspect for the murder of Enrico Mantoli. Soon after we are presented that Tibbs is an officer and that is a shock to Gillespie. Every time that Gillespie would arrest some one Virgil proved them innocent, when Borers was arrested Virgil proved Gillespie wrong by proving to him that Borers was not the murderer. When Gillespie arrested Sam Wood Virgil also roved him innocent. Even though Gillespie dint like to be proven wrong by anyone (none less a Negro) he respected Virgil for his great detective work. At one point in the novel Gillespie and Tibias shake hands and I think that was the high point of this mutual respect. Virgil respect Gillespie that much in the beginning and most of the middle of this story but In the end Virgil respected Gillespie. I think it was good that Virgil did not respect Gillespie because Gillespie was using Virgil for his scapegoat.At the end of this story Gillespie finally showed everyone that he respected Tibias by telling every one the truth about the murder investigation, and giving most of the credit to Virgil. Gillespie also showed respect to Virgil by not lying to everyone and saying that he solved the murder. Another sign of the respect Gillespie had for Virgil Is the letter he sent to chief saying that he did an excellent Job. At the end of the story Virgil and Gillespie had a great deal of respect for each other and this Is a respect that I think would last for many years to come.