Question

Which of the following uses word choices to convey the social standing of the narrator in the short story “Black Ball”?

“I noticed his hands had been scarred as though they had been burned.”
“He was looking down at his outstretched hands as he talked.”
“The boy had a good appetite so I did not have to make him eat.”
“When they did have something to say to us, they became familiar.”

Answer 1

The answer is: “When they did have something to say to us, they became familiar.”

“The Black Ball” by Ralph Ellison the narrator, John, is conscious that he is not treated like an equal, however, he still has hope in his life. He wants to transmit this to his son, that the identity is not dictated by the skin color. At the setting time of the history the black people did not have the same right that the white people, despite this, John keep fighting to achieve the American dream.

Answer 2

The sentence I would choose is: "He was looking down at his outstretched hands as he talked". To me, it implies that he cannot look into the eyes of the person he is speaking to, as if he doesn't feel he is worthy.