Johnnie Wilcox's Narrative Analysis

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Recommended: Racism in literature

Johnnie Wilcox expresses in her article that, “The differing spontaneous reaction of these men suggests that sexuality, like race, generates contradictory responses even from subjects located inside the system” (105). This is not the only instance where characters in the story demonstrate contradictory behavior. For example, the white man’s behavior towards the black fighters is cruel at times, but caring at other times. Before the fight the narrator notes that, “One of the men seemed to feel a bit sympathetic and tried to cheer us up as we stood with our backs against the ropes” (Ellison 234). On the other hand, immediately following another of the white males is directing that, “ I want you to run across at the bell and give it to him right

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