Reading 1001 discussion

6. Throughout the book the narrator encounters a number of white benefactors, including a millionaire college trustee, an amiable playboy, and the professional agitator Brother Jack. What does the outcome of these relationships suggest about the possibility of friendship or cooperation between the races?

None of these people were seeking friendship with the narrator but were using him.

I agree with Kristel within the confines of the novel it would appear that such a relationship is not possible as both sides have their own goals and motivations.

The relationships with white people were not one's of friendship, which might imply that friendship and cooperation between the races was not possible.

I haven't finished the book, but in the narrator's encounter with the white girl in the house of the evicted old couple, we see a situation where he takes the advice of a white person (escape by the rooftops) although not trusting it. He certainly wonders what her ulterior motive is, which shows how little confidence he has in the possibility of friendship and cooperation between races.

Ultimately the failure is in alignment of goals. Unless there is a clear overlap of interests, a successful partnership is difficult to achieve. Given the circumstances, a true alignment of interests across the races seems difficult to achieve.

I wonder if Ellison doubts whether friendship is possible even between people of the same race. Maybe with those who aren't ambitious, who see others as something more than just a means to their ends.

I was feeling the same thing., John. After I finished reading this, I found what was most unsatisfying to me was that the main character had virtually no friendships with anyone. (It suggested that Ellison too may not believe friendship or trust was possible; if he experienced the same as the main character, then probably for good reason.)

Given the narrator's track record of being betrayed, it is understandable why he would have few friends, yet at the end he is striving to get to Mary's. Mary was the one person who helped him without looking for anything for herself. And he betrayed her.

I know friendship is possible, but I think true friendship is rare.

Good point about Mary. She was a good person.

Good point, John. She was the person who showed concern for him and tried to help him without trying to use him for her advantage. He seemed aware at the end that she would be a friend.

Agree with Kristel and John.

I thought Mr. Norton's experience was the most memorable in the story of race relations, the fact that he forgot who the narrator was. I agree that friendships were rare and everyone was using someone.