Autobiography of an ex-colored Man

I think its really sad that the narrator was basically forced to give up his music in order to conform to society’s image of him as a white man, and to provide a safer life for his family. I am left wondering though, if the novel would have provided a better discourse on society at the time if either the rich gentleman had helped more to further the excolored man’s place in society as a black man, or if the excolored man himself had actually risen above society to use his music and stature as a smart African American to help all African Americans. The rich gentleman and he excolored man had a relationship reminiscent of that of a slave and owner, but at the same time, we’re clearly friends. I think if the excolored man had stepped up to the plate, and the rich gentleman used his societal influence, they might have actually made a difference in the plight of African Americans.

1 comment October 20, 2011