Question

After telling the story, why does the speaker in "Incident" say "nothing really happened"?

a) To emphasize the insignificance of the event
b) To create suspense for the audience
c) To downplay the seriousness of the incident
d) To confuse the listeners

Answer 1

The correct answer is option c. The speaker in "Incident" downplays the racial incident to minimize its seriousness, despite its lasting impact on them, showing that 'nothing really happened' often carries deeper emotional significance.

Step-by-step explanation:

The speaker in the poem "Incident" by Countee Cullen says "nothing really happened" to downplay the seriousness of the incident. This statement is significant because it reflects the speaker's attempt to minimize the trauma and racial encounter that they experienced.

Despite the use of the word 'nothing,' the incident in question has a long-lasting impact on the speaker, and the use of the word 'nothing' is a part of the emotional complexity of processing unpleasant experiences. The racial slur said by another child in the poem leaves a profound impression on the speaker's memory, showing how what might outwardly seem insignificant can have a deep and lasting effect.