Discuss the symbolic significance of Liberty Paint Company. Consider the following: why it is called "Liberty" paints, the motto "Keep America Pure," the trademark of the screaming eagle, what Optic White is used for, the 10 drops of black dope to make the paint whiter.
Invisible Man's first job is at Liberty Paints. This company is known for it's patriotism because of their motto, " Liberty Paints Keep America Pure", and its trademark, the screaming eagle. Their most famous paint color, Optic White, requires 10 drops of black paint to symbolize the necessity of coexisting races and the need for one to overpower the other. The name "Liberty Paints" implies freedom, which is never really achieved throughout the story. The company as a whole stands to represent the contribution on black people to a dominantly white world and the irony of our freedoms.
ReplyDeleteEne I agree with you. I think it Is very ironic that white paint requires black paint for it's full luster and look. I also think it relates to our world in the present; Like the way the rich need the poor but yet has prejudice against them.
DeleteThe Liberty Paint Company is a very important symbol in the book. this symbol relates to race and racism. the word liberty means the state of being free within society without restrictions. This is metaphorical because Ellison uses the word "liberty" and the word "pure" to show freedom, but in actuality the paint making process has restrictions. with Ellison doing this he makes color literal towards black and white race. It is said that optic white " can cover any stain". This is another way of saying that white people feels as if they can cover up or surpass black cultures with their own. The motto "keep America pure "also goes with that same theory of mine. I think that Ellison did a great job with this symbol because there are many details and different opinions that can come from this paint company. My final " statement" is ended with a question and I think it is very important. How is something so pure white, if 10 black drops is added to make it pure? This is ellisons way of saying you cannot exclude the black race, either way we are going to be needed or used.
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