In class we discussed the obscurity of Liberty paints and
what made it different from a normal paint factory. We explored Liberty paints
as an extended metaphor for racial inequality and whitewashing. I chose to look
deeper into this and find more instances this metaphor is apparent.
Ellison uses symbolism from the very
start of Chapter 10. The fog is mentioned three times in the first two
paragraphs of the chapter. The fog interferes with his vision, but he is still
able to see the massive sign that is on display. The name of the factory,
“Liberty paints” and the fog mean that in a sense the narrator does not have a
clear view of liberty. This suggests that liberty in America has been distorted
and that as a black man he does not truly have liberty.
Despite the fog, the narrator can see a sign with the motto
of the factory, “KEEP AMERICA PURE WITH LIBERTY PAINTS” (196). This is more
important when the specialty of the factory, white paint, is revealed. The
whiteness is seen as pure and the fact that the pain is used all across the
country, especially in government buildings, shows the whitewashing all across
America, especially the white political power.
The process behind the missing of the paint itself is quite
interesting. To get the famous white color, the factory needs to add 10 drops
of a black liquid. The white paint covering the black liquid represents the power
and privilege white people have in society, but the brilliance of the white
paint once it covers the black liquid represents how white people oppress and
take credit for the accomplishments of black people in order to gain their
power and privilege. This idea is again exemplified through Brockway role in
the factory. Although the narrator seems skeptical of Brockway, Ellison
presents the idea that Brockway is integral to the company. Despite his
importance, he is cast aside to the depths of the company. He is insecure about
his job and the rest of the people in the factory do not take him seriously.
Chapter 10 illustrates the struggle to reach racial equality.
In the chapter the narrator faces less racism at first glance, but Ellison uses
subtle signs of racism to question the progress towards racial equality. The narrator
has just moved to the north where there is supposedly better race relations,
but there are still signs of racism everywhere. Ellison plays with liberty, one
of the most basic rights of Americans, and questions whether black people have
liberty by filling the chapter with symbols of white oppression and privilege.
As discussed in class, this multi-faceted metaphor can be interpreted in any number of ways. To me, the mixing of the paint is the most interesting portion of this, the idea that there needs to be just the right about of crossover between the colors, for an optimal result, while a minuscule mistake could prove costly in terms of the final product. This would appear to translate into societal roles fairly easily, as white society--according to Ellison--requires a small injection of black culture, but not too much, as to avoid marring their own.
ReplyDeleteThe addition of drops of black paint to make the white more brilliant stood out to me too. I think there's something to be said about the gray streak that is left on the sample after the narrator makes a mistake and tries to fix it. Maybe it's another example of how whitewashing is prevalent in America. The paint was black but they tried to cover it up by making it white. The narrator sees that the faded gray streak is clearly there but the boss is oblivious. Maybe Ellison is trying to point out how northern whites try to pretend like racism isn't there?
ReplyDeleteThere are so many different directions that you can take this metaphor, and I think Ellison deliberately left it open ended so that we can take it to mean whatever we think. You did a good job of offering a more subtle interpretation, and backing it up with evidence.
ReplyDeleteI like the way that you interpreted the creation of the paint, and although you call the creation "interesting" your blog goes much further into the metaphor. Great job bringing Brockway into your idea and using him to help further your thesis. Overall great post!
ReplyDeleteI really like how you use the name of the paint factory to exemplify the implications of the factory's racist undertones. The white paint smothering and benefiting from the black droplets while hiding them relates well to the view of Brockway in the basement. They are the same metaphor is different forms, each blatantly obvious but very deep.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't before thought about tying Liberty paints into the fact that he has just arrived in the north, where it's supposed to be much better and more progressive with more opportunity. His first view of the north is the major company leaders turning him away without saying why. His second view of the north is the hidden, racist Liberty Paints factory. It seems to symblolize the hidden racist undertones that prevail in the North. Good post!