An author can only partially structure an experience in an attempt to elicit a desired response from the reader, for there are two types of readers an author must consider: the implied reader and the actual reader. The implied reader is “assumed and created by the work itself” whereas, the actual reader brings his/her own experiences to the text and thus each reader takes away a different message from a text (MacMannus, para 1). Du Bois's narrative, “A Mild Suggestion”, attempts to ensure a certain response, from the reader, by including a description of the passengers' reactions to the colored man's story, but to some degree, the effects on the reader vary depending on the experiences he or she brings to the text. However, without this …show more content…
Clearly, she has been bothered by his suggestion and resigns silently to her cabin. The mention of her silence is important, because it demonstrates that there is no one there with whom she is willing to share a reaction. The presentation of her as an isolated individual furthers the reader’s feeling of sympathy toward her and allows for women in her situation to identify with her felt isolation and ostracization. Du Bois finishes with her reaction, because it is the most powerful. Thus, the reaction of the Little Old Lady develops pathos in the reader and forces the reader to consider the deeper meaning of the colored man's story.
The reader is also affected by the reaction of the Southerner and the Woman. Throughout, these two individuals are presented as unified and in the end the Southerner chooses the Woman. Specifically, the narrator states that these two were "heard to say something about fools" (94). Who exactly are the fools? Are the fools the Southerner and the Woman for having listened to the story? Are they the emancipationists who gave the colored man a voice? Or are the fools all emancipated colored men? The word "fool" is used in a plural sense and consequently leaves the reader to openly interpret its meaning. The effect on the audience is one of disassociation from the Southerner because the reader does not want to be lumped in with the
In conclusion, all indicators point toward active participation in online discussion a major factor in the final grade a student may receive. All stakeholders, including the facilitator, need to be actively involved at a high cognitive level. This activity increases trust that must be built within a community of learners.
The next form of hunger that Richard encountered was one for literature which seemed to give him a release from the suffocating reality of his surroundings. His appetite for literature became a defining characteristic as the novel progressed. Though her effort was short-lived, a boarder at his Grandma’s house, Ella, gave him his first taste of reading. “As her words fell upon my new ears, I endowed them with a reality that welled up from somewhere within me…. My sense of life deepened…. The sensations the story aroused in me were never to leave me” (Wright 39). In light of Richard’s continued pursuit for knowledge critic Dykema-VanderArk reflects that, “Richard's reading opens his eyes… ‘made the look of the world different’ and let him imagine his life under different circumstances. Richard eventually recognizes that the social system of the South strives to keep black Americans from just such ways of thinking.” His craving for literature sets him apart from most of the black community surrounding him.
The white man is also trying to uphold his power and control over the situation by gaining the narrator’s trust. The narrator is naïve in his understanding when he receives a leather brief case and a scholarship after delivering his speech: “My fingers a-tremble, I complied, smelling the fresh leather and finding an official-looking document inside. The document was a scholarship to the state college for Negroes. Although the white men provide the narrator with a scholarship, it is for the black college, which is undoubtedly inferior to any white college. Another instance in which the narrator does not fully understand the intentions of the white men occurs when the black men are ordered to scramble for money on a rug after the battle. It appears that the men are going to receive money for participating in the battle; however, the rug is electrified and the coins are not real. The white men are merely being entertained at the expense of the black men, which the narrator realizes this once he is electrocuted when he tries to pick up a coin. The narrator’s figurative blindness to the intentions of the white men makes the struggle for equality even harder.
The stereotypes in the story, makes it difficult for the readers to conclude the race of each character. People assume that the African American character would be illiterate and uneducated and the white character to be well-educated. During the time period of the story African Americans did not have access to a decent education; making it harder for them to learn just the basics. Whites had access to good education, making it easy to believe the white character is more educated. It is also believed that a person that is well educated will have a better lifestyle when they are older. A well-educated person will have a better job, paying more, and have a better opportunity to afford the means of a luxurious lifestyle. An under educated person will most likely live in poverty, struggle for their basic needs, or live in a declining neighborhood. Behavior is a harder stereo type to use to distinguish a race. Many assume that whites have an entitled attitude toward life. Whites had access to a good education and jobs, they had a “I’m better than you” attitude. On the other hand, many think African Americans were upset because of how easy it was for whites to have better access to the basic necessities such as education and housing.
To begin with, the novel portrays betrayal when the white men degrade the narrator and a few of his African American classmates. Accordingly, the man wants to try everything he can in order to keep peace between him and the white men. Ellison states, “The white folk tell everybody what to think...except men like me. I tell them” (Ellison 33). Nonetheless, the narrator presents the act of disloyalty to society by stating he has power over white folk because during the time of the matter segregation is still widely accepted. Moreover, the narrator recollects the time when he gives a speech to his high school graduating class. The Brotherhood decides to host this particular event at a sportsman's club. As, man shows up to the club he is blindfolded and is
A lack of self-awareness tended the narrator’s life to seem frustrating and compelling to the reader. This lack often led him to offer generalizations about ““colored” people” without seeing them as human beings. He would often forget his own “colored” roots when doing so. He vacillated between intelligence and naivete, weak and strong will, identification with other African-Americans and a complete disavowal of them. He had a very difficult time making a decision for his life without hesitating and wondering if it would be the right one.
The Building Of Rapport Is Often Considered One Of The Most Important Aspects Of A Hypnothrapists’ Work, Discuss
There was obvious tension between the narrator and the white men as he was finally able to deliver his speech. Beaten up badly, the narrator of the story, still went on to give his speech about the importance of education for the black community. As he was giving the speech, “ The room filled with uproar of laughter until, no doubt, distracted by having to gulp down my blood, I made a mistake and yelled a phrase I had often seen denounced in newspaper editorials, heard debated in private.” He continued, “‘ Social…’ ‘What?’ they yelled. ‘ ...equality-’ The laughter hung smoke like in the sudden stillness I opened my eyes puzzled… They shouted hostile phrases at me. But I did not understand” (Ellison 294). The mere mention of the word “equality,” in the south is a way to get a person put down, and it is a harsh reality that many had to face. It took a lot gut to give a speech and mention equality. There was a particular phrase that stuck out to one of the gentlemen of during the gathering. He confronted the narrator and
This allows readers to have a more open mindset when reading and see many different views. Views are normally influenced by opinion or foresight and by attempting to leave behind opinions readers can have a broader understanding. The idea of racism is demonstrated through a contradiction of races, “The black boy and the white” (Cullen 2). This exemplifies a contradiction of races, black to white. Racism plays a key role in this situation because if it was not present the two boys would go unnoticed and race would be ignored. In this time period whites were viewed as the superior race. Whites were more prominent in society and were held to a higher standard. Folk of the African American race were on the rise during the Harlem Renaissance and were becoming more involved in society. However, prejudice was extremely present in society. Blacks were looked at as less of a person than whites and held lesser positions. Other writers pick up on the contrast in characters,“... local townspeople react to a friendship between two boys; one black, the other white”(Turner 230). This is essential as it is easily distinguished that one is black and one boy is white. If it was not for prejudice, little would be thought about two young boys being together. The contradiction of races opens new opinions and room for criticism. Another example of contradiction is employed in the poem, “The
My attempt to comprehend the guiltless letters smothering the lifeless tree in my hands was of interruption as the bus flew over another speed bump. The predestined occurrence led to a sigh, Richard Wright’s autobiography, Black Boy, no longer in my hands, and the bus driver silently cursing under their breath once the rear end of the yellow mobile and a mailbox kissed. Contemplations about the book clouded my thoughts, but my hand didn’t have the audacity to pick up the autobiography and bring it to my eyes once more. Alternatively, I peered out of a dirty window and questioned the horrors previously read about Richard Wright’s childhood. ‘What exactly were his intentions?’, ‘Why were so many rhetorical devices used?’, and ‘When will racism
A person's strength was always his weakness. When it comes to reading and writing, I have many strengths and weaknesses. My past writing and reading experiences have made me into the writer/reader that I today. Strengths help me excel in my read/write, but the weaknesses do bring me in a stump at times. When writing an essay, you can have a very high vocabulary, but not have the best of grammar. The good thing about weaknesses is that they can be worked on to be made into a strength. Many people achieve this by setting goals and making the new one harder and harder. Without strengths or weaknesses or even goals, how would people learn from their mistakes, becoming better at what they're not or achieve their aims.
The second theme exhibited by the grandmother is her class and racial prejudice, as most characters in southern gothic stories do. The grandmother exudes a sense of self-righteousness that she explains is imbedded in her because she came from a good family. Throughout “A Good Man is Hard to Find” descriptions of the south come up often. Most of the images are portrayed when the grandmother is reminiscing about “In my time” and on the “plantation” (114). Her insistent attitude and obsession about visiting the plantation shows the grandmother truly enjoyed that time period and implies she had no problem with the racial segregation in that era. She remembers back to when she was a young girl and Mr. Edgar Atkins Teagarden would bring her watermelon. “but she never got the watermelon”, “ because a nigger boy ate it when he saw the initials E.A.T.!” (115). It is clear the grandmother feels it is appropriate to use the N word when referring to African Americans, even years after slavery era. As the grandmother glamorizes Negroes and life on the plantation, it is clear she admired the ways of the Old South, a true characteristics of Southern Gothic writing. Her stereotypical character projects a prejudice that leaves the audience uncomfortable throughout the story.
A temporary, six-month CSR position has just been filled at Dallas Distribution Center. The new hire is Abhey Patel, a very nice and bright person, who everyone agrees works extremely hard. Abhey has recently established citizenship in America from his homeland, India. Realizing the need to write to customers using proper English and grammar, the other CSRs have been covering for Abhey, proofreading his letters and e-mail messages for him. He is currently enrolled in an ESL (English as a Second Language) night class, but he hasn’t mastered all the fine points yet.
Thesis Statement: Some claim that readers will be able to enjoy a longer life than those who do not read.
The narrator through out the play in Dutchman deals with the issue of race by letting a white women talk and disrespect a black man.