Question

How is the complication and paradox of these situations expressed by the last sentence about Staples’ whistling classical music being the ""equivalent of the cowbell that hikers wear when they know they are in bear country"" (paragraph 12)?

a) The last sentence highlights the positive impact of Staples' presence on others.
b) The last sentence emphasizes the negative consequences of Staples' interactions.

Answer 1

The metaphor used in Brent Staples' essay highlights the paradoxical need for Staples to signal his non-threatening nature through whistling, similar to how hikers use cowbells to alert bears to their presence, emphasizing the negative consequences of racial stereotypes.

Step-by-step explanation:

The last sentence of paragraph 12 in Brent Staples' essay uses a powerful metaphor to express the complication and paradox of Staples' attempts to put others at ease due to racial stereotypes. By comparing his whistling of classical music to a cowbell worn by hikers in bear country, Staples underscores a sobering reality: the music serves as a tool to signal his harmlessness, much like the cowbell signals a hiker's presence to prevent startling a bear. This metaphor articulates the negative consequences of Staples' interactions with others; it suggests that, like hikers who must take precautions against bears, Staples must manage the perceptions of those around him due to preconceived notions based on his race.