Chapter 13-16

Chapter 13

1.     Peter Wheatstraw foreshadows the encounter with the yam seller. How do these encounters differ? What changes are revealed in the narrator’s identity? How is his change in identity linked with his desire to show Bledsoe as a fraud?

The narrator accepts the yams, which further means he now embodies the southern black culture. He points out how people like Bledsoe actually like all these foods, like yams, but act as if they don’t in order to gain approval from the superior white community. The narrator already knows that they wouldn’t gain their approval, so he feels free as he enjoys his culture’s food.

2. In the eviction scene, the narrator makes his second speech of the novel. Study it carefully. Compare it to the first speech. Take notes about the narrator’s developing identity.

He no longer depends on someone else’s ideas to develop his own. The narrator exhibits how he truly feels, and is still opposed. However, he doesn’t back down from his position, and actually tries to connect to the audience. He is developing his identity that reflects his connections to his culture, and his gradual embracement of his heritage.

3. How does the narrator meet Brother Jack? The Brotherhood is a thinly veiled version of the Communist Party. Richard Wright, Ellison’s first mentor, was an active member in the Communist Party. At Wright’s request, Ellison wrote a number of articles for leftist publications between 1937 and 1944, but never joined. He objected to the Communist Party’s limitations of individuality and personal expression.

Brother Jack invites him for a coffee after hearing his speech and being impressed.

4. What new piece of paper replaces the letters from Bledsoe as the narrator’s identity?

The paper Brother Jack gives him with his phone number.

Chapter 14

1.     What pushes the narrator to accept The Brotherhood’s offer?

Mary is the main reason why he accepts the job. He feels bad that he hasn’t paid her rent, especially after everything she has provided for him.

2.     Note that the building is called the Chthonia. In Greek mythology, this is another name for Hades’ realm, the underworld. What descriptions and images can you find that convey the sense of entering an underworld type of realm? Why is entering the world of The Brotherhood like entering the underworld?

There was images of an overly fancy room, with well dressed people. However, brother jack and the other accompanying men are not so well dressed, and they also have a cold attitude, just like those from the underworld.

3.     The phone number has been replaced by a new name in an envelope? Why? Why are we never told of this new name?

It is his new identity, and the name that he will be known for. We are not told the name because it is not truly his new identity- he doesn’t feel comfortable.

4.     How does the party scene remind the reader of how limited and/or hypocritical most whites are in the understanding of the treatment of Blacks?

They prevented them from knowing various things, yet expected them to be knowledgeable of them.

Chapter 15

1.     Think about the symbolism of the Sambo bank. Is it related to Clifton’s Sambo doll? What about the fact that it belonged to Mary Rambo? What about the bank’s “grinning mouth” that swallows coins? Think back to the Battle Royal in Chapter 1.

The Sambo doll represents the stereotype of blacks, which is that they are servile and do whatever the white society desires in order to gain reward. However, because it belongs to Mary, it creates a state of confusion for the narrator, because the statue , although seemingly grinning, represents a slave who will please his or her master to gain advantages.

Chapter 16

1.     List all the images of blindness in this chapter. What do you think the narrator means when he says he has become “more human?”

-“…of ho he had beaten blind in a crooked fight…and how the fighter had died in a home for the blind.”

“…We’re so un-common that we can’t even see it!”

“They think we’re blind- un-commonly blind.”

“We’re a nation of one-eyed mice.”

“Did you ever se such a sight in your life?”

“You know, if we aren’t careful, they’ll slip up on our blind sides..”

“Did you ever notice my dumb one-eyed brothers, how two totally blind men can get together and help one another along?”

He feels heard, and visible because there is a room full of people finally listening.

2.     How does the narrator use the image of blindness as the central theme of his speech?

He remarks that they can’t see what is the reality of what is going on, and how that impacts their life. However, recognizing that they are blind, and helping one another out will be more beneficial than just being alone.

3.     Be prepared to discuss the speech as a further expression of the narrator’s developing identity.

The speech is the development of his ideas, and how he wishes to express them with a crowd that most likely felt like he felt.

4.     The rewritten quote from James Joyce is often discussed. Do you think that it is the duty of an individual to represent a particular race, gender or group? Do you believe it is more important to concentrate on developing ones individual identity?

I think there needs to be someone who sparks the movement of a group, but there still needs to be an emphasis on being an individual who succeeds. Representing a group shouldn’t be a goal, but helping others is. Developing on one’s identity is crucial to being at peace with oneself, and that allows one to better help others, and lead.

5.     What is The Brotherhood’s reaction to the speech? What is your personal reaction? What criticism of The Brotherhood is implied here?

The brotherhood did not like it. They believed it was against what they had said all along, and thought the speech created a mob. I thought it was uplifting and created a sense of unity. They are extremely strict in what they are speaking about, and their approach is specific. They don’t seem to like change.