Questions and Answers
Which chapter describes the protagonist's experience in public school?
What notable skill did the protagonist develop at church during Chapter 2?
Piano lessons
What did the protagonist discover about his racial background in Chapter 1?
He is half black
The protagonist's father was_____.
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What were the three classes of colored men in relation to whites mentioned in Chapter 6?
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List one of the four reasons why blacks were not considered inferior.
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The protagonist enjoyed seeing the rich widow with the black man in Chapter 7.
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What significant event happens to the widow in Chapter 8?
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What did the protagonist commit to memory before arriving in Europe in Chapter 9?
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What phrase did a black physician say about race in Chapter 10?
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What major decision did the protagonist regret in Chapter 11?
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Study Notes
Chapter 1
- Born in a small town outside of Georgia; moved to Connecticut with his mother.
- His mother received letters containing money to support them.
- Entered public school at age nine, studying piano and other subjects.
- Formed a friendship with a boy nicknamed "Red Head".
- Held back in school multiple times and discovered he was biracial.
Chapter 2
- Experienced life through the lens of a colored man.
- Older white individuals treated him with more respect than peers of his age.
- "Shiny" was recognized as the smartest black student in class.
- Took piano lessons at church and played duets with an older girl, despite being only 12.
- His father lived in New York.
Chapter 3
- Learned his father was white; felt the weight of racial identity.
- After his mother's death, he participated in charity work.
- Attended Atlanta University with only $400 to his name.
Chapter 4
- Lost all his money due to theft by a proprietor and porter.
- Moved to Jacksonville with another porter after the incident.
Chapter 5
- Found employment in a cigar factory.
- Began smoking, swearing, and learning Spanish.
- Became a "reader at the plant" and enjoyed watching cakewalk dances.
- Relocated to New York after the factory closed.
Three Classes of Colored Men in Relation to Whites
- The Desperate: Conformists who wish for white suffering; often ex-convicts.
- The Domestic Servants: Minimal friction between blacks and whites; includes waitstaff and coachmen.
- The Tradesman and Independent Workers: Respected in their sphere, often viewed with disdain by whites.
Four Reasons Why Blacks Were Not Inferior
- Ragtime music.
- Jubilee songs.
- Cakewalk performances.
- Uncle Remus stories.
Chapter 6
- Introduced to craps and nightlife at a Chinese club where ragtime was played.
- Noted that ragtime was often dismissed as a white creation.
Chapter 7
- Observed a wealthy widow with a black man, which he found unsettling.
Chapter 8
- Secured a job at a cigar shop and gained performance opportunities at "The Club".
- Became involved with a millionaire who offered him opportunities.
- Had an affair with the widow and witnessed her get shot.
Chapter 9
- Arrived in Europe, memorizing vocabulary in French, Spanish, and German.
- Encountered his father and sister in a Parisian theater; their relationship was fraught with societal taboos.
- Compared the seriousness of London to the vibrancy of Paris; yearned to return to the U.S.
Chapter 10
- "It's no disgrace to be black, but it's inconvenient" - a sentiment shared by a black physician he met.
- White individuals often raised racial issues more than blacks themselves.
- Southern attitudes towards race contrasted with those of Northerners.
- Shiny became a professor at a Negro college; ECM (Ex-Colored Man) stayed in Macon before returning to New York post-lynching.
- Expressed detachment from both black and white identities.
Chapter 11
- Acknowledged that "white man's success was money," which became his focus.
- Engaged in real estate speculation and fell in love with a white woman.
- She expressed her love by playing the 13th nocturne, a song he had taught her.
- Faced grief after her death and felt guilty for betraying his race for personal gain.
- Reflected on having "sold his birthright for a mess of pottage."
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Description
Explore the key concepts from the 'Biography of an Ex-Colored Man' through these flashcards. Each card covers significant events and themes from the first two chapters, providing insights into the protagonist's life, identity, and experiences. Perfect for studying and reviewing the important aspects of this literary work.
