Genre
Novel
Setting and Context
Set in the early 1970s in Harlem
Narrator and Point of View
Third-person narrative
Tone and Mood
The tone is macabre, and the mood is sad
Protagonist and Antagonist
The protagonist is Benjie Johnson.
Major Conflict
The main conflict is when Benjie is introduced to drugs which destroy his life forever.
Climax
The climax comes when Benjie realizes that the people around him love him despite his drug addiction.
Foreshadowing
The lack of direction and role model foreshadowed Benjie’s drug addiction.
Understatement
The life challenges in the ghettos are understated.
Allusions
Benjie’s unfortunate ending alludes to his poverty status, prejudice, and the challenges he goes through as a black American. For instance, he is discriminated against in school despite being a bright boy. Due to frustration and despair, Benjie ends up being a drug addict.
Imagery
The author uses sight imagery to show readers Harlem's high level of insecurity. For instance, the grey-haired sisters are scared to walk home alone because they fear being attacked by gangs all over the city. The young men are seen strategically positioned, ready to strike their targets. The author hints that if victims fail to cooperate with the criminals, their thoughts can be cut. Consequently, this scene depicts sight imagery to help readers see the insecurity existing in Harlem.
Paradox
The main paradox is that Benjie’s biological father runs away from parental responsibility.
Parallelism
N/A
Metonymy and Synecdoche
N/A
Personification
Drug abuse is personified as inhumane because it has the intention of harming people.
