The paradox of Merritt’s white clients
Mr Merritt is a respectable black American lawyer practicing in New York, and most of his clients are whites. Despite getting professional services from Mr Merritt, the same white clients view him as unfit to live among them because of the color of his skin.
The irony of racial bigotry
The irony of racial bigotry is that it is based on preconceived ideologies of black people, which are often not true. The African Americans are hated by the whites because of the color of their skin, but not the inability to perform similar duties as whites. For instance, despite being black, Mr Merritt is a respectable lawyer, and most whites seek his professional services.
The ridicule of Miss Cramp
Miss Cramp is a paradoxical character. Miss Cramp is an elderly white woman living in Harlem, but she intentionally ignores the ethnic progress to stick to her racism. Mr Merritt receives a cold reception from Miss Cramp, who often does nasty things to push him out of the neighborhood.
The satire of Mr Merritt
Mr Merrit knows that Harlem is experiencing a positive wave of racial and ethnic tolerance. Similarly, Mr Merritt knows that he is the best-respected lawyer in the city, and he believes that the white community will welcome him. Ironically, Mr Merritt is treated by a rude shock when he settles in a white-dominated neighborhood because he is discriminated against. Despite all these challenges, Mr Merritt stays put and proves to the whites that African Americans are not a nuisance.
