Chapter 18

Quote: "They're crazy about it. And same way with the Hot-Footers and all that. You don't have to worry, son." (Ellison 386)

Context: TIM is in his office discussing with Brother Tarp how other members of the Brotherhood view TIM. TIM is having his doubts and Tarp is trying to reassure him that he has support and is doing the right thing.

Motif Analysis: The Hot-Footers is in reference to a popular musical group from the South, this reference is used to help TIM believe that people love the work he is doing in the Brotherhood the same way they love the music of the Hot-Footers.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Chapter 15

Quote:  "The knocking had gone beyond mere protest over heatlessness now, they had fallen into a ragged rumba rhythm." (Ellison 321). Context:  After TIM breaks the racist coin bank, the tenants are still beating on the pipe to get the heat turned on. Motif Analysis:  The motif of music is seen in this chapter through the rhythmic rumba of the banging. 
Read more

Chapter 20

Quote:  "A cluster of men and women hovered near the juke box at the rear."(Ellison 423) Context:  TIM has just walked into Barrelhouse's bar at the beginning of chapter twenty and notices the presence of music. TIM has just returned to Harlem after being downtown for the Brotherhood for a short while. Motif Analysis:  Music is shown through the jukebox playing. The jukebox represents TIM's culture because the first thing he hears back in Harlem is music.
Read more

Chapter 9

Quote:  "... heard him singing in a clear singing voice. It was a blues..."(Ellison 172) Context:  TIM is walking down the street in New York and is taking in all the live action which gives him encouragement to accomplish something today. Part of the action was a man pushing a cart who TIM describes as the one who was singing. Motif Analysis:  The motif of music is displayed by the man TIM hears singing. The blues that he's singing remind TIM of music he had heard in the South.
Read more