A common theme that I had in mind as I was reading "The Autobiography of an Ex-Coloured Man," and that was mentioned in class was the idea of dependency that the narrator has. In the beginning of the story, it seemed as though he was dependent on other people, for example his mother. He also was passive and went with the flow. He does not seem to take inititive or speak out. He observed "Shiny" speaking out about his race, but he did not seem to know how to do that. This theme seemed to continue through a good chunk of the story until he starts to play music at the "Club."
As I was reading,I noticed that as soon as the narrator started playing at the "Club" it was the moment when he could indentify who he was and what characterized him as a person. He was confident about his musical abilities and described his popularity among the audience. I think this allowed him to feel unique and special at the same time. He was able to identify what made him, him. Once he met the millionaire and starts to make money, he realizes the direction he should take, whereas before he was gambling and wan't sure where his life was taking him. I also believe that the millionaire came into his life at the right time and guided him beause he admired his talent. Although they ended up going their own ways, the narrator has a basic foundation to his life and where it should continue, which I think he was looking for, for many years.
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I also believe that if the narrator had not met the millionare then his life would have turned out completely different. I agree the millionare opened doors to wonderful opportunities for the narattor as well as educated the narrator on everyday life things. His mother seemed to have made it a point to make sure the narrator received a good school education, however he was not educated on life. At least he finally had the chance.
When the narrator met the millionaire, the millionaire had a positive impact on his life. However, I am unclear if it was the millionaire who actually turned the narrators perspective on what he actually wanted for his life. I thought that the narrators perspective changed as he was in Europe playing music and a man took over his seat and began playing rag-time classically. At that moment the narrator viewed his playing, as well as his life, completely different. For once, he stood back and began to realize what he wanted for himself.
I agree with you I feel like the narrator depends on music to give meaning to his life. What is a shame though is that he makes no huge steps to improve this talent of his untill finding out he is supposed to leave for japan he seems complacent and content with not striving for anything.
I agree with you in the fact that he was at first very dependant on the people around him. His mother was a great example cause when he lost her he pretty much lost himself. He had no idea what to do or where to go.
Even before he meets the millionaire, it seems like the narrator's musical experiences are his most positive memories. His confusion and isolation is a common theme throughout the novel, but the passages about the narrator at the piano are filled with emotion and self-confidence.
This part of the book was defineltty the golden years for the narrator... his confidence was the best here and his self discovery was greeat. its a shame that life dragged the narrator down as he aged. its not the way one is treated but the way one allows himself to percieve it..
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