In a deserted station, the Narrator purchases a ticket and boards a bus heading to New York. Apart from himself, only two other passengers are present: the ex-doctor he had met at the Golden Day and an attendant named Mr Crenshaw. The Narrator feels uneasy seeing the ex-doctor, as he wants to leave behind the troubling events of the previous day. The ex-doctor strikes up a conversation, asking about Mr Norton and whether the school term has ended. The Narrator explains that he is leaving for a job in New York.
The ex-doctor muses that New York will transform the Narrator. He says the narrator might even dance with a girl, which he describes as an "accessible symbol of freedom." He shares that he is being transferred to Washington, D.C. He believes that his meeting with Mr Norton played a role in the decision. Offering advice, the ex-doctor tells the Narrator to "play the game, but don’t believe in it." He adds cryptically, “You’re hidden right out in the open—that is, you would be if you only realised it.” Crenshaw, frustrated, tells the ex-doctor to stop talking so much.
The ex-doctor questions Crenshaw about whether he has travelled north before, insinuating that many men used to flee north after committing crimes. Offended, Crenshaw denies any wrongdoing and expresses his wish for the ex-doctor to stop talking entirely. The bus finally departs, and at the next stop, the ex-doctor and Crenshaw disembark. Before parting, the ex-doctor leaves the Narrator with more cryptic advice: “Be your own father… the world is possibility if only you’ll discover it.”
As the Narrator's journey continues into New Jersey, he begins to feel optimistic. He resolves to work hard, return to school in the fall and become a respected figure on campus, armed with experiences from New York. He is ecstatic about the recommendation letters from Dr Bledsoe, and he envisions himself impressing others in professional meetings.
Upon arriving in New York, the Narrator takes the subway to Harlem. The packed train shocks him, and he is alarmed when he is pushed close to a white woman. Panicked, he contemplates apologising but soon realises no one is paying him any attention. Relieved but unsettled, he leaves the train at the earliest opportunity and decides to walk the rest of the way.
Entering Harlem, the Narrator is astonished by the sight of so many black people in an urban setting. He is especially struck by a black police officer directing traffic. The ex-doctor’s words about New York being a city of dreams echo in his mind.
On the street, the Narrator is drawn to a gathering where a passionate speaker, later identified as Ras the Exhorter, is railing against white dominance and calling for their removal from Harlem. The Narrator marvels at how Ras can speak so boldly without the police intervening. Moving on, he approaches two white policemen to ask for directions to Men’s House, where he plans to stay. The officers, noting his unfamiliarity with the city, caution him to be careful and point him in the right direction. As he walks away, Ras’s fiery rhetoric grows louder in the distance.
The Similarity Between the Ex-Doctor and the Narrator: Both were once idealists who had to confront a harsh reality that disregarded their individuality. While the Narrator is still tied to his admiration for the college, the ex-doctor introduces New York as a transformative place where identities can be reshaped. He warns the Narrator about the deceptive nature of people like Dr Bledsoe and advises him to embrace his invisibility as a tool in a world that refuses to see him.
Migration and Identity: Crenshaw’s story is symbolic of the historical pattern of black men fleeing the South to seek a new beginning in the North. The Narrator, too, joins this legacy by embarking on a journey to reinvent himself. The ex-doctor’s advice, particularly “Be your own father,” underscores the necessity of self-reliance and forging one’s path amidst uncertainty.
The Marionette Motif: In his effort to explain systemic oppression, the ex-doctor revisits the imagery of puppet masters pulling strings. While he attributes this control to white men, he overlooks how figures like Dr Bledsoe perpetuate the same manipulative structures within their communities. Bledsoe’s power, rooted in serving the dominant hierarchy ultimately reinforces the very system he claims to navigate for personal gain.
The North vs. The South: New York contrasts starkly with the Narrator’s experiences in the South. The crowded subway and his proximity to a white woman highlight his discomfort with the unfamiliar norms of urban life. Harlem, however, offers a vision of black empowerment, with black individuals holding positions of authority. Ras the Exhorter’s fiery speech introduces the Narrator to black nationalism, a worldview that is both shocking and intriguing to someone accustomed to Southern racial dynamics.
Naivety and Hope:
Despite the ex-doctor’s warnings, the Narrator remains tethered to his belief in Bledsoe’s influence and the college’s prestige. His fantasies of success reveal his naivety, though his hopefulness reflects a broader theme of striving for self-discovery and progress. Harlem, with its vibrant energy and complex racial tensions, becomes the backdrop for this transformation.
Multiple Choice Questions
What is symbolic about New York for the Narrator?
a) It represents chaos and fear.
b) It is a place of identity transformation and new beginnings.
c) It is a place of wealth and prosperity.
d) It represents failure and despair.
What does the ex-doctor mean by "Be your own father"?
a) Take responsibility for your own life and decisions.
b) Act like a father to those in need.
c) Follow traditional family values.
d) Seek guidance from older mentors.
What surprises the Narrator the most about Harlem?
a) The presence of white people in large numbers.
b) The lack of racial tension.
c) The cleanliness of the streets.
d) The sight of black individuals in positions of authority.
Why does Ras the Exhorter's speech stand out to the Narrator?
a) It criticises black empowerment.
b) It openly challenges white dominance.
c) It praises figures like Dr Bledsoe.
d) It advocates for returning to the South.
ANSWERS: 1. B 2. A 3. D 4. B
Compare the Narrator’s initial impressions of New York and Harlem. How do these impressions contrast with his experiences in the South?
How does Ras the Exhorter’s speech introduce the Narrator to the concept of black nationalism? Discuss its impact on his perspective.
