17-19

Chapter 17

1.     How much time has passed since the narrator’s speech?

Four months have passed.

2.     Describe Brother Hambro.

The narrator describes him as a “fanatic teacher” who never misses an opportunity to create study situations. The narrator claims that working with him is hard work, and seems more demanding than college.                  

3.     What is Ras’ political doctrine and why is it in conflict with that of The Brotherhood?

He does not believe white and black people should interact. The brotherhood also practices non-violence, which Ras certainly doesn’t.

4.     Who is Tod Clifton? Why do he and the narrator become friends? Note that “tod” means death in German.  Why does Ras spare Clifton’s life?

He is a young leader of the Brotherhood who teaches the narrator how to deal with hecklers. Clifton is also black. Ras can’t bring himself to kill Clifton because he claims he is his brother- they are both black. However, Ras insists to know why he is iin the brotherhood where they don’t appreciate him fully, and where he would never be a true brother.

5.     Ras pleads with the narrator to become a part of black unity and leave The Brotherhood. His arguments are similar to those of Black Panthers and others who came to the political forefront in the 1960’s. The Communist Party did, in effect, betray the Blacks who helped build the party in the 1930’s. What side do you believe Ellison is supporting?

I think he sides with the Black Panthers due to the fact that their ideology revolves around being someone who appreciates their heritage, as well as focusing on their segregated success.

6.     What is significant about the portrait of Douglass that hangs in Brother Tarp’s office? How is Tarp like Douglass? Like the narrator’s grandfather?

Tarp believes in the narrator’s ability to succeed. Douglass was a famous orator that had great impact, so that desire is wanted for the narrator. Tarp is like Douglass because he believes in the potential of the narrator as an African American. The grandfather is like Douglass because he was also an escaped slave and had desires for the narrator to fight on. 

Chapter 18

1.     Consider the symbolism of the link of chain Tarp gives the narrator. It what ways does it link the narrator to Tarp? To his past? Is it significant that Westrum rejects that link?

The link symbolizes freedom, and captures what the experience of physical and mental slavery was like. It is significant that Westrum rejects it because it is as if he rejected what it represents: African American heritage, freedom.

2.     What seems to cause the fight between Wrestrum and the narrator? What do you think is the REAL reason for this fight?

The interview and article published about the narrator was announced by Wrestrum, and he claimed it was an opportunist move. The real reason would be that he views the narrator as someone who does not completely follow the ideology of the brotherhood.

3.     At the end of the chapter, the narrator is sent out of Harlem. Why would The Brotherhood remove a successful member of the party and send him off to lecture on a subject about which he knows so little either by training or personal experience?

It is to not  draw so much attention to the enemies, and calm the waters in their own movement. It also is a way to see if the narrator is a true believer of the movement.

Chapter 19

Note that chapter 19 is a transitional chapter like chapters 7 and 12.

This chapter details the narrator’s seduction by the nameless “woman in red.”

1.     In what ways is Ellison playing with the idea that white women are drawn to Black me?

He displays this woman as someone who is willing to please the narrator with the comfort of her home, and also displays attentiveness to what he is saying and his ideologies.

2.     What reaction does the woman give when her husband comes home?

She is calm, and acts normal, with the average wife affection.

3.     What is the narrator’s action?

He was very anxious, and felt abnormal. He was surprised at the woman’s reaction. He hoped the husband didn’t see him.

4.     Do you think this chapter is humorous, or is it serious social commentary.

I view the embarrassment he felt with the woman as a bit humorous, but I think there is also social commentary when viewing his look on how an African American male would feel towards a white female.