Allusions - Week 2

As the narrator's interactions with Dr. Bledsoe progress, his true intentions are brought to light. He deceives others, namely his donors, into believing he is very submissive while in reality he deviously manipulates others into getting what he wants. Ellison's inclusion of Barbee, the blind preacher, doubles as a complex and thought out allusion when coupled with Dr. Bledsoe. The two characters together supply the reader with a reference to Booker T. Washington, who himself took a passive stance in equality and was criticized as a result. Barbee represents Washington's more consolatory nature towards black equality while Dr. Bledsoe serves to personify many of his critics more aggressive views. Through this comparison, Ellison alludes to the differing opinions when it comes to achieving black equality and their complex interactions with each other.