Summary and Analysis

Summary

The narrator visits a bar, one of his old hangouts in Harlem. He recognizes two of his men who attended some of his speeches, referring to them as "brothers". They react with hostility. He finds out that many jobs that the Brotherhood offered Harlem residents are gone. These men themselves left the organization. Some men accuse the narrator of contracting "white fever" when he traveled downtown to give a lecture. He returns to his original office to search for Brother Tarp, but finds no one in the building. He found that fraternity Harlem membership declined as the fraternity's focus shifted from local concerns to national and international causes.

The narrator waits to be called to the strategy meeting mentioned by Brother Jack, but no call. He rushes to headquarters anyway and finds that a meeting is already underway. The narrator realizes the other members wanted him out the whole time. Angry, he leaves the building to buy shoes. He sees Todd Clifton hawking "Sambo" dolls in the street. (The American stereotype "Sambo" dates back to the days of slavery and means obedient but irresponsible, loyal but lazy slave.) Clifton sings a jingle as the puppets dance in simple movements. The narrator feels betrayed. Clifton saw several white police officers coming towards him, swept the Sambo doll and hurried around the corner. Apparently, Clifton knows he shouldn't sell his dolls on the street.Clifton asks the audience who have gathered to watch his performance to follow him. and start squeezing it with your foot. However, when he sees one of the police officers nearby, he takes the doll and puts it in his briefcase. He starts walking, but as he turns another corner he sees a large group of people. Clifton stands in the middle, with police officers on either side. The narrator then sees Clifton punch one of the officers, who pulls out a gun and shoots Clifton dead.

Analysis

The narrator's newfound empathy and compassion are particularly striking when compared to his reaction to Brother Clifton's sale of Sambo dolls, and his previous reaction to Jim Trueblood's story. On both occasions he was appalled by the black man's behavior. This time, however, the narrator identifies the Clifton brothers as true blood brothers and fellow blacks who faced the same hatred and prejudice he himself experienced. No, but I'm wondering why Tod Clifton not only sold depraved dolls, but also beat a white police officer. He believes selling dolls is not an act of hate or ignorance designed to humiliate the black community. It is against him selling out his people by being part of an organization that exploits black people and uses them only to further their own social ends and to use them for nothing else. It was a desperate and self-destructive act intended to express the self-loathing of the dolls and puppets.

Themes

Race and Racism

Identity and Invisibility

Power and Self-Interest

Dreams and the Unconscious

Ambition and Disillusionment