Chapter 7
1. Who does the narrator meet on the bus to New York? Why does the encounter make him uncomfortable?
He meets one of the vets that was at Golden Day, which makes him uncomfortable because that is part of the reason why he has been expelled. He wants nothing more than to forget these events that have only brought him problems.
2. On p. 152, the narrator is told New York is "not a place, it's a dream." Interpret this statement.
He is referring to New York as a dream because it is up North were all the folk run up to enjoy the freedom. He is probably referring to it as this because he has never been and is going off of what others say of NY and the perception the Blacks down South have of it.
3. How does the fate of the vet parallel the fate of the narrator? Think of how both are controlled.
They are both being transferred to a new location. The vet's move could possibly be linked to Bledsoe, since he did threat to do something.
4. Reread the final paragraph on p. 153. What do you make of the vet's advice?
It is similar to what Bledsoe is saying. He is able to recognize that the narrator believes too much in his dreams. They both tell him to not be such a fool. They are both working to uncover the blindness that the narrator is in.
5. On p. 155. the vet says, "there's always an element of crime in freedom." What does this statement mean to you? Do you agree or disagree?
That for black's there will always be something wrong with them having freedom. I agree with this statement because of the time period it is set in. Whites are always going to find a way to take this freedom away from the Black man. They will always try to find a wrong in their actions.
6. Describe the narrator's encounter with Ras.
The narrator hears him making a loud speech about driving White folks out of NY. He is amazed that a riot doesn't break out and that Ras is allowed to speak without being arrested and the crowed being dispersed. As he is walking away, the voice of Ras seems to become more violent.
Chapter 8
1. In the first six chapter, the narrator's identity is identified by the scholarship. Now the letters defines it. Describe him.
He has illusions that his hard work and good intentions will naturally help him advance in life. Just as the content of the letter is unknown, the future of the narrator remains unknown as well.
2. Notice the narrator's decision to get a watch. How does it fit with his new identity. Look for other images to watches and time.
He is no longer down in the South. He is in the North and isn't on c.p time, but on White folks time. This means he had to be on time everywhere he went. The watch corresponds with his suave attire.
-"I recalled the heavy gold chain that hung between Dr. Bledsoe's vest pockets and the air..."
-"Maybe the face of that clock set in the gray building across the street had a pair of searching eyes."
-"The streets were filled of hurrying people who walked as though they had been wound up...'
3. How does the narrator deny his Southern heritage? Why does he do this?
He is going to "slough off" his southern ways of speech. He is going to do this because he believes thats what they want up North. If Dr. Bledsoe could do it he believed he could do is as well.
4. Why do you think the narrator dreams of his grandfather?
To be reminded that he has deceived himself into believing that white men would help him.
Chapter 9
1. How does Peter Wheatstraw (with plans) make the narrator homesick?
By singing a song similar to the ones sang on the campus down South.
2. What is the symbolism of Wheatstaw's blueprints?
The illusions and dreams of people.
3. How does the narrator continue to deny his Souther heritage?
The narrator refuses to chose the special at the drugstore, despite the fact that he looked like a "pork chop man."
3. Look at the details from Emerson's office.
The office is full of huge maps and artifacts from around the world. The narrator assumes that the business must be an importing company.
5. Why does Emerson keep referring to Huck Finn?
Because of the way society was built and how it reflects the situation in the novel.
6. Walt Whitman wrote a series of homoerotic poems called the Calamus poems. Can you make any inferences about young Emerson from his reference to the Calamus Club?
He could possibly be gay and attempting to repress his inner feelings. This is supported by the way he is described with feminine attributes.
7. Why might young Emerson identify with the narrator and Blacks in general?
Because they are both fighting society and their perceptions of them. They are attempting to mask their actual identities.
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