WAEC Literature in English 2018 Theory — Question 6

Model answer

Bigger's conversation with Gus at the entrance of the poolroom reveals a lot about the race relations between the majority whites and the minority blacks in Wright's United States. Importantly, the conversation reveals how the whites feel towards the blacks and how the blacks feel towards whites. The conversation gives clearer insights into the treatment of the blacks by the whites in the United States. It shows that the blacks are the products of the society that defines their existence. As Bigger and Gus await other members of their gang in preparation to rob Mr. Blum, Bigger and Gus converse about the treatment of the blacks at the entrance of their rendezvous, which is the poolroom. The conversation reveals that just like the whites, the blacks are ambitious and also aspire for the pride of place in the society, but their only antagonists are the whites who have raised social standards against them. After exchanging pleasantries, Bigger and Gus share cigarettes and briefly comment on the shylock and egotistic white lords who would not provide necessary amenities commensurate with the prohibitive rents they charge. Shortly, Bigger notices a plane flying in the sky and displaying an advertorial. The advert reads: 'Use speed Gasoline.' Bigger marvels at the skill of the plane flyer and remembers how he wishes to be a pilot. Thinking aloud, Bigger says if he had the chance he would have been able to fly a plane like the pilot flying the one in the sky. Gus regards Bigger's thoughts as mere wishful thinking, given the discriminatory realities that define the North American society. He therefore sneers at the idea. In a mockery of the thought, Gus assumes the cringing and subservient attitude of the average black man to his white counterpart by stepping forward, squaring his shoulders, doffing his cap, bowing low and finally saying, 'Yessuh'. Bigger is not amused. He tells Gus to go to hell and insists that if he had a chance he could fly a plane. In a serious tone, Gus responds by pointing out the factors which will make it impossible for Bigger's dream to come true. They include race, money and law. Bigger further concludes that perhaps it is better that blacks are not allowed to fly planes because as a pilot, he would take a couple of bombs along and drop them, apparently, on the white people. In a jocund manner, Gus says that God will let Bigger fly a plane when he gets to heaven and he will receive wings from the Creator. They both laugh it off. Gus and Bigger mimic the whites in different categories: General, J.P Morgan, President of the United States, and the Secretary of State. Overtly or covertly, the mimic reveals the desires of Bigger and Gus and, of course, the entire black who are unable to attain such heights. The blacks have been conditioned to the low-profile jobs of chauffeur, clerk, messenger, attendant, baby sitter and others. They are regarded as the other or the minor within the American society. Bigger wonders why the blacks would never be allowed by the whites to attain such great heights as they do. Gus cautions him not to let that thought produce undue hatred in him towards the whites. The lesson from the conversation between Bigger and Gus is that blacks are wishful thinkers within the scope of the North American society because the society is not designed to favour them.