Podcast
Questions and Answers
What was the landlady's response to the speaker's query about their racial background?
What was the landlady's response to the speaker's query about their racial background?
- She asked if they were dark or very light. (correct)
- She welcomed the speaker warmly.
- She laughed at the question.
- She ignored the speaker completely.
How does the speaker describe their appearance in relation to skin color?
How does the speaker describe their appearance in relation to skin color?
- They claim to be entirely light-skinned.
- They mention being a mixture of colors.
- They say they are covered in makeup.
- They describe themselves using chocolate analogies. (correct)
What effect did sitting down have on the speaker's appearance?
What effect did sitting down have on the speaker's appearance?
- It caused their feet to tan.
- It lightened their skin tone.
- It made their hair turn white.
- It darkened their backside. (correct)
What does the speaker mean by 'West African sepia'?
What does the speaker mean by 'West African sepia'?
What aspect does the landlady's inquiry reveal about her perspective?
What aspect does the landlady's inquiry reveal about her perspective?
Flashcards
Silence
Silence
A state of being completely silent or without sound.
Shame
Shame
A feeling of shame or embarrassment, often caused by a sense of inferiority or wrongdoing.
Chocolate Skin Tones
Chocolate Skin Tones
A way of describing a person's skin color using the shades of brown found in chocolate.
Pressurized Good-Breeding
Pressurized Good-Breeding
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Sepia Tone
Sepia Tone
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Study Notes
Racial Prejudice and Discrimination
- A narrator experiences racial discrimination at a boarding house.
- The landlady initially avoids acknowledging his race, but later asks the narrator's skin tone, categorising it.
- The narrator explains his skin tone using a food analogy ("West African sepia" and "brunette") which highlights the absurd categorisation.
- The landlady's response highlights an ignorant prejudice and lack of understanding.
- The narrator highlights the colour differences on other parts of his body to illustrate the absurdity and unfairness of the process.
- The narrator's predicament stems from the landlady's initial denial of his existence.
Language and Dialogue
- The dialogue emphasizes the dehumanisation and reduction of the narrator to a skin tone.
- The narrator's attempts to explain his complexion highlight a futile effort.
- The landlady's dismissive attitude and inability to understand the narrator's explanation creates a sense of absurdity and dehumanisation.
- Language is used to perpetuate racial stereotypes.
Symbolism
- The repetition of "red" (e.g. booth, pillar box, omnibus) suggests a sense of entrapment and the oppressive atmosphere.
- The landlady's behaviour is marked by indifference and lack of empathy, demonstrated by dismissive reactions and blunt and clinical conversation.
- The detail on the physical descriptions (skin pigmentation of soles, palms, and bottom) emphasize the absurdity of the process of categorisation and further highlights the dehumanising effect of racial prejudice.
- The landlady's disbelief highlights the lack of respect and understanding the landlady has for the narrator's humanity.
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