Through Beaty’s The Sellout, there is a reoccurring theme of
stereotypes and how it relates to identity, particularly pertaining to black
people. There are instances where the novel over exaggerates typical stereotypes
about black people, as well as instances where these stereotypes are
contradicted.
For example, the narrator is particularly gifted at growing
watermelon. “So I chose to specialize in the plant life that had the most
cultural relevance to me- watermelon and weed” (Beaty, 62). These are two
things that are included in stereotypes about black people- that they love watermelon
and smoke a lot of weed. The narrator can even grow square, pyramid, and
eater-bunny shaped watermelon! By exemplifying the watermelon stereotype to a
ridiculous extreme, it forces readers, particularly those who perpetuate these
stereotypes, to realize how absurd they really are. It is also interesting to
note that the narrator makes a profit from this exemplified stereotype. I
believe that this is saying that once one embraces the stereotypes pushed on
them (embrace but not necessarily conform to), then they can gain a great deal
of identity.
Another is example is that the narrator reads literature
that is considered academic, scholarly, and otherwise does not suit the
stereotype of what black people read. Some of the most racist comments on this
topic would even venture to say that black people cannot read. By having the
narrator read this literature, it contradicts the stereotype on a very extreme
level. The extreme contradiction has the same effect as the amplification. It
shows the absurdity in the original stereotype.
Another interesting topic that plays into this idea is the
narrator’s father. This character both amplifies and contradicts a stereotype.
There is the stereotype that black men are hyper-masculine, or even abusive. The
narrator’s father subjects him to tests throughout his childhood, which I
consider to be abusive. “I wasn’t fed; I was presented with lukewarm appetitive
stimuli. I wasn’t punished, but broken of my unconditional reflexes. I wasn’t
loved, but brought up in an atmosphere of calculated intimacy and intense
levels of commitment” (Beaty, 27). Experiments entailed things like letting
crowds of strangers beat his son and electrocuting him until he evacuated his
bowls. This form of abuse is so absurd. It’s something that would not happen in
real life. This absurdity forces you to confront the absurdity of stereotypes
in real life. The narrator’s father also contradicts the stereotype of the
absent black father. Not only is the narrator’s father a single father, he is
also immensely involved in his son’s life, though in a very strange way. He
studies his son’s behavior as if he is a lab rat. In addition to the
stereotypes that the narrator’s father represents, it is interesting to note
the way he died. His father died in a very real way. There was nothing absurd
or unrealistic about it. This snap to reality highlights the strikingly real
issue of police brutality and racial injustice.
The emphasized and contradicted stereotypes in this novel
tell us that stereotypes are ridiculous, but also that they are a part of life.
The novel is saying that stereotypes are inescapable. It is human nature to
categorize things, even in extreme way. One must be able to see them and
embrace them, but this does not mean that you must conform to them. The
recognition of them will allow you to come to terms with how the world views
you, which will help strengthen your sense of identity.
I believe that the re-segregation also speaks on this topic.
As we mentioned in class, America is still segregated but nobody calls it
segregation. In the novel, this town is forced to view segregation as what it
is, with the label and all. This brings peace in the town. It forced the reader
to realize how absurd the idea of segregation is, and how even more absurd it
is to be accepting of it and content in a world in which it exists. It forces
the reader to confront the fact that segregation exists in America today.
I agree with what you are saying about segregation in the novel. Beatty rights about segregation in order to force people to recognize that segregation still exists. In the process of segregating the town people find that “grades are up and behavioral problems are down” (208). The idea that segregation could create positive effects is absurd and illustrates the idea that while segregation still exists nothing good will come of it. Beatty also uses a lot of stereotypes in the novel to force people to recognize that they exist. He wants people to recognize that while America claims that they believe in equality and don’t stereotype, racism still happens. Beatty writes that “race is hard to talk about” and “black people don’t even talk about race” (273). This is true in today’s society because people are trying to ignore all of the issues that talk of racism creates. Beatty argues that this shouldn’t be done and the only way to solve issues of racism is to address them. This is why race is talked about so openly in the novel. He discusses race through absurd exaggerations of stereotypes and racist ideas. One example of this is one of the books the narrator’s father had. It was called “Black Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders” (202). This is making fun of the idea that black people are fundamentally and biologically different than white people. The absurdity of the stereotypes Beatty uses in the books illustrates the importance of recognizing that stereotypes and racism still exist, while making the point that they shouldn’t.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the segregation and stereotypes help convey Beatty's message that it is better to know your status in the world, even if that status is as a second class citizen. In other words ignorance is not bliss. Furthermore, I think Beatty is trying to use the stereotypes to illustrate his point that if everyone can see that a person is being discriminated against they might actually do something about it. Perhaps the best example of this is the town's reaction to re segregation. While one would think re instituting segregation would have a decidedly negative impact on the community of Dickens. However, this is not the case at all. "In the fiscal quarter since Wheaton Academy's inception employment in Dickens was up an eighth. Housing prices had risen three-eighths. Even graduation rates were up a quarter" (216). It seems after segregation was re instituted the community immediately began to improve. In fact it seems most people had a positive opinion of the segregation. One small business owner even commented "The customers love it. It's like they belong to a private club that's public" (235). Clearly, many people believe that the segregation has created a sense of community. There are a few people who are completely opposed to the segregation. For instance, the white teacher at Chaff middle school resigns after taking a seat marked for whites only. Furthermore, Foy is also incredibly against segregation even leading a protest against Wheaton academy in chapter 23. However, Foy is also referred to as a "werenigger" the narrator explains that most of the time Foy lives as though he were not black and occasionally chooses to "prowl the inner cities" (96). As such, it seems interesting to note that those affected most by segregation are the most in favor of it. It seems to support Beatty's thesis that the people who are least affected by segregation are the most offended by it. These people would much rather sweep racism under the rug and pretend it doesn't exist. However, if these people are confronted with the ugly truth that racism is alive and well in America they might be so uncomfortable they'll do something about it.
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