Journey week #5

As the IM begins to bring his journey full circle in this cyclical novel, he is back in the the manhole where he first began his narration. He begins to contemplate why his story is important and what he feels he has learned through the account of the events of his life, especially those in Harlem. He says that “he’s been trying to look inside himself, and theres a risk in it” (444).  The IM has been on a constant spiritual journey throughout his physical journey and the journey he took in relaying the story to the reader. He has come to no definite resolution or conclusion but he has traveled within the depths of his soul to be “reborn” and “transformed”. He has come to a new heightened level of understanding about his circumstances, saying that “ you go along for years knowing something is wrong, than suddenly you discover that your as transparent as air” (446). He realizes now that he has nothing that is owed to him, he has to create a life for himself while understanding that many people wont see him, they will look through him as though he was air. The risk in looking inside himself was the possibility that he would not come to this heightened conclusion of what life is for himself, when taking a journey inwards the IM has to face the possibility that no new information or understanding could come from the journey. Luckily the IM does come to a further understanding about himself and the world around him. The IM consequently though his journey inspires the reader to do the same. The IM allows for the idea of a emotional and spiritual journey to seem feasible to the ordinary person. So through his journey and the account of his journey the IM makes it possible for other similar journeys to occur.