Initially, the narrator is too weak to stand up for himself. He is a docile, emotional college student. Thrust into a battle royal, forced to give a wealthy white man a tour, and rudely dismissed from his college for no justifiable reason, the narrator is constantly being pushed around by his "superiors". His habitual compliance is eventually shattered when Brockway chastises the narrator for being late and accuses him of being a traitor. The narrator’s response to Brockway is life-altering and allows him to uncover an untapped source of confidence. This scene is essential because it marks the beginning of the narrator’s coming of age and removes him of his juvenescence.
Before this incident, the narrator is meek. He realizes this, thinking, “when, angered or spiteful, or drunk with power, they came at you...you made no effort to strike back” (225). Then, the important coming of age moment arrives, and the narrator finally stands up for himself. Brockway threatens the narrator, yelling, “I’LL KILL YOU, THAT’S WHAT!” (225). The narrator is expected to respond with fear; instead, he yells back, “YOU’LL KILL WHO?” and fights the old man (225). This narrator is definitely not the same boy who allows Bledsoe to strike him with derogatory terms.
This transition is important because it marks the first moment when the narrator shows signs of being capable of surviving in New York City. He becomes a man of confidence, taking off the clothes of a young boy and putting on the suit of an adult. His newfound ability to stand up for himself will allow him to pursue greater occupations beyond Liberty Paints. Many people in New York City will try to break him down because of his blackness, but this experience will allow him to rise above.
I agree the narrator is slowly evolving into a new man as the story progresses. He is becoming a dynamic character in the book. From the battle royal scene, where he listens and obeys to the white men, to the fight scene with Mr. Brockway, where he stands up for himself and gets into a physical fight with Mr. Brockway, the narrator is understanding the true nature of America. I love your statement, "He becomes a man of confidence, taking off the clothes of a young boy and putting on the suit of an adult" because it is exactly how the narrator perceives his new life and determination in New York City.
ReplyDeleteThe narrator transitions into adulthood by moving to New York. Even though he is far away from home, he will always have a piece of the South with him. When he buys yams in New York, he begins to accept his Southern heritage and even says, “I yam what I am!” (266). His internal acceptance unleashes a new confidence. No longer is he worried about people judging him by something he likes.
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