For my first blog I wanted to focus on the second section of The Autobiography of an Ex-Coloured Man that we were assigned to read. I enjoyed reading this section because I liked the switch from the narrator’s proper upbringing in the first section to his time in the New York City night life where he gambled, stayed up all night, and eventually was indirectly involved with a murder. I never expected the narrator to find himself in these kinds of situations. New York, however, did not turn out to be all bad for the narrator because it enabled him to rekindle his love for music and become involved in the blossoming New York music scene. New York seemed to be a necessary experience for the narrator because it took his life in a completely different direction. One part of the novel that was very surprising was that the narrator did not look for his father while he was in New York. I expected him to take this opportunity to seek out a relationship with his father or at least attempt to find him. Then ironically, when the narrator leaves New York and goes to Europe, he runs into his father with his own sister no less. I also wonder why the narrator did not speak up and let his father know that he was right next to him in Paris. The narrator obviously would have liked nothing more than to meet his sister and connect with his father again. I found it very puzzling as to why he chose to run away.
The narrator’s time in Europe and with the “Millionaire” was a significant part of this novel. The “Millionaire” was a very interesting character. As readers we don’t know very much about him but he ends up being an important person in the narrator’s life, providing him with many opportunities and life experiences. Another important contribution of the “Millionaire” was the he ends up posing a significant question to the narrator when he is deciding whether or not he should go back to the United States or stay and travel around the world. He makes the statement, “My boy, you are by blood, by appearance, by education, and by tastes a white man. Now, why do you wan to throw your life away amidst the poverty and ignorance, in the hopeless struggle of the black people of the United States”. All of a sudden, “Millionaire” becomes this very vocal character on race relations in the United States that I did not expect. I also thought that this statement was very insightful and is representative of the major issues in this novel. I was also not all that surprised when the narrator chose to return to the United States. I could sense that he was being pulled back to the United States for a particular reason but I have not figured out the reason yet. Hopefully I will get the answers as I continue reading.
3 comments:
Courtney I agree with you that this section of reading had many twists and turns that we did not expect. Especially when the narrator sees his father and sister in Europe, but I wasn’t surprised that he ran away from the situation. I think in that situation I would have done the same thing he did because you must remember that he (the narrator) is a “secret.” He would have caused trouble in their family by making his presence known. Also keep in mind that he is not just white, he is mulatto, a mix and the issue of his race would have made the situation escalate if he had spoke up.
You said that you thought the narrator was being pulled back the United States, even if he didn't understand the force. While I see where you're coming from on that statement, I believe that the narrator's future could have gone either way. Although I understand his motives for returning to the United States, and actually admire him for what he is doing, I could also envision him continuing on his travels with the millionaire. I wonder where that course would have taken him compared to his pending return to the United States?
I agree that the narrator is being pulled back to the US for some reason (though I'm not sure what that reason is). It will be interesting to see what his return to the US brings.
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