"Plan B" by Chester Himes

Paper Summary:

This paper analyzes the book "Plan B" by Chester Himes, focusing on the stereotypes and labels imposed on black people by whites as a false measure of superiority. The paper illustrates the fact that Tomsson Black - the main character of the book - is aware of these social constructs and this allows him to beat the white man at his own game. The writer portrays Tomsson as someone who plays on the white man?s stereotype of the black man, and without a hint of suspicion, succeeds in becoming the white man's worse enemy.

From the Paper:

"In Chester Himes? novel, Plan B, Tomsson Black is the personification of white man's fear and hatred towards blacks. Black is a tall, strong, dark- skinned, militant black man who starts a race riot in Himes? novel. Despite the fact that Tomsson has been a member of the Black Panthers, started his own Black organization, visited Communist countries to study Marxist ideologies, and raped a white woman, he is loved by whites. He is the last person white officials suspect of starting the race riot. The reason Tomsson is able to do all these things and get away with them is the fact that he plays the role the whites want him to play. By playing the role of the Negro, Tomsson giving whites what they want- control. By controlling the black man's image, the white man can force him to be anything he wants him to be."

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