I really like this book because I can actually argue my points and rant what I think. Because I know all of you like to hear what I have to think 
So here goes…..
I am truley torn about what Ellison is trying to get us to think. In the last book, Passing, it was obvious that we were suppose to know what passing was, think it was that what Clare was doing was wrong, and then make your own conclusion about the ending. But what exactly is Ellison trying to tell us? Is what Blodsoe doing supposed to be a mean act or is he just pushing the narrator in the direction that he thinks is best? Are we supposed to think that all white men are evil and that the black man is getting the short end of the stick? Or are we supposed to think that black man is getting what they deserve because of people like Trueblood and white man is doing what they have to? Are we to conclude from Ellison that white people are trying to mold black people into what they think they should be??
I am left with all these open ended questions and I am not sure how I feel about that. I absolulty did not like the ending of Passing because you were left with the question of how did it happen and you had to decide for yourself. I have a feeling that this book might end like that, which would disappoint me because I think I might like this book. Although I have made it clear that I like a book that paints a pretty picture for me and it just tells me what to think, but this book is different. I would hate to get through this book liking it and then get to a conclusion like that.
The one thing that I don’t like about this book is the metaphors. For some reason I seem to be catching on, but honestly before this class I had no idea about this stuff. If I was reading this book a year ago, I would not have caught on to the whole white paint that was brown that had to have 10 black drops added. I would have seen that as exactly what it was, not what it was suppose to stand for. So, what about that “normal” reader, are they not supopsed to pick up this book?? I dont know how I feel about all this canonical literature stuff…. I guess I shall know by the end of the semester
March 23, 2007 at 4:12 am
I agree with what you said in the last paragraph about the “normal” reader picking up the book. I took a class sort of like this in high school and we learned to read deeper and pick up on all the little stuff, but if I hadn’t I’d have no idea what was going on in this book or at least not what really is. It’s weird to read books after taking both of these courses because you don’t just sit and read the book now you always look for more or whats really being said. Its sort of cool too though knowing what the authors hidden message is.
March 23, 2007 at 8:45 pm
I agree with what both you and Becca said. I probably would not have picked up on a lot of the metaphors included in the novel prior to taking this class. I too have to wonder if Ellison intended on only some readers picking up on some of the things. To me, that seems a little ridiculous. An author should try to not cover up metaphors and other underlying things that really add to the literature. Therefore, it seems like Ellison should make his metaphors a little easier to read into.
March 23, 2007 at 9:35 pm
Yea, sometimes I feel like close readings are necessary, but isn’t it just great that you can pick up a book and already know what’s happening without all the psycho-analysis??
Ofcourse, this book has its metaphors that you can ‘close read’ and be like ‘oh, is that really what he meant when he was writing about paint?’ Maybe he just liked paint. People will still argue about it though. Damn tricky metaphors.
March 25, 2007 at 9:07 pm
I agree with you as well, what about the “normal” reader? No offense to Ellison or anything, but this book’s (for me) only saving grace is the metaphors. It’s only readable because I know while I’m reading it, that he’s not just talking about offensive and disgusting stuff just for the sake of telling a story. The metaphors add the meaning, and they are the only thing that keep me reading. But what about everyone else? Are they just supposed to suffer through the tragic and gruesome tale of this poor guy’s life? Or, was this book only meant for an educated, or intellectual, audience? I thought good literature should write to everyone!
I think you raised some really good questions. Hopefully, by the end, everyrthing will come together.