As president of the narrator’s college, Mr. Bledsoe is supposed to be someone African-American students can look up to. Instead, he treats the students, especially the narrator, with lies and disrespect although he is African American himself. Rather than enlightening and providing the students with the education they need to prepare and function in the real world as educated adults, Bledsoe preserves the myth of white supremacy.
The narrator returns to the college with Mr. Norton after an encounter with a black veteran who offends Mr. Norton by saying, “To you he is a mark on the scorecard of your achievement, a thing and not a man; a child, or even less - a black amorphous thing” (95). The narrator’s decision to show Mr. Norton the hidden abominations shames and angers Mr. Bledsoe. In his tirade, Mr. Bledsoe shocks the narrator by addressing him with derogatory terms such as “nigger” and “boy” (139). These harsh and prejudiced nicknames Mr. Bledsoe utilizes are ironic because he is an African-American himself, more specifically one who is supposed to exemplify dignity and sophistication. Such words are hurtful towards black because it removes them of their identity. “That, [the narrator] thought, noticing the throbbing of a vein that rose between his eyes, thinking, He called me that” (139). Being the leader and mentor for the students, he demoralizes them such as telling the narrator, “You’re nobody, son. You don’t exist -- can’t you see that?” (143).
Mr. Bledsoe perpetuates white supremacy by condescending to the narrator. As many white people during his time, he reacts to the narrator’s mere mistake with blind rage. Furthermore, his main goal is to remain in control of the college, much like an overseer did with his slaves.
Linda's analysis of Dr.Bledsoe shows he is not a figure African American students can idolize. Dr. Bledose is willing to go against his own race. He degrades the narrator. The narrator's shock with the words Dr. Bledsoe uses show the impact they have. Dr. Bledsoe should understand this. Dr.Bledsoe shows he will put blacks against each other just to preserve his power.Nobody should admire him.
ReplyDeleteAccording to the legend, Mr. Bledsoe had a humble beginning and came to the college “barefoot” (116) with nothing but some ragged clothes. Mr. Bledsoe dedicated his whole life to his rise of power, so maybe he feels as though he earned the right to send off anyone who threatens his position. Mr. Bledsoe reached the pinnacle of power, and he does not want anyone to rob it away from him.
ReplyDeleteWhile Mr. Bledsoe is wrong for using such language against a black student, I see him more as a new grandfather figure. Both grandfather and Mr. Bledsoe portray the qualities of a humble black man, are respectful to whites, and act dignified in all aspects of society. Yet, both change character traits with the narrator. Mr. Bledsoe and grandfather tell the narrator apohrisms about life as a black man. They shatter the illusion they play for the whites and (whether kindly or angrily) deliver the societal truth to the narrator. Grandfather says to fight while Bledsoe is depressed; both men have lived lives that are a facade. Their goal, for better or worse, is to end the cycle of hypocrisy.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jessica. I feel as if since Mr. Bledsoe started with nothing but rags & has worked his way up, he feels as if he is entitled to this power, as if he deserves to belittle those of his own kind. He is almost acting as if he is a white superior, almost as if he wishes he could be white himself. He wants to feel as if no one can refer to him as those slanderous words anymore, so he will inflict them on people of his own kind.
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