A Black and White Mask by Heidi Bradley In the novel Middle Passage, Charles Johnson utilizes a grotesque irony to illustrate a theme, and figure, often used in African American literature. He allows the narrator, Rutherford Calhoun, to portray himself as the happy, yet ignorant, darky in his initial meeting with Captain Ebenezer Falcon in order to gain passage on the slave ship which serves as the setting for the story. However, Johnson later shows how Captain Falcon, a dwarf-like white man, also “wears the mask” in the presence of his black sponsor in order to obtain money. Both Calhoun and Falcon perform an anticipated role in order to manipulate their prospective employers. The irony is illustrated by the fact that while the black character must “wear the mask” in the beginning, the white captain surfaces as a slave to the wealthy black businessman. Furthermore, in grotesque fashion, the prosperous black man, Zebediah Singleton, earns his fortune through the slave trade business. In the eyes of the narrator, “Was this not the greatest betrayal of all?” (Johnson 150). Johnson creates a horrific portrait of Ebenezer Falcon before Rutherford Calhoun even enters the Captain’s quarters. Upon being discovered as a stow away on the ship, Calhoun must report to Falcon, for death or employment, and is stunned by a sexual encounter between the Captain and a young cabin boy. As he stands, “rivering sweat” (Johnson 27), he decides to manipulate the ominous Captain Falcon “by playing poor mouth” (Johnson 28). Calhoun believes that if presents the desperate story of the hardships and sufferings of a black man, he can persuade the Captain to have mercy and give him a job instead of death. He knows that the tactics he is imploring are false and alludes so to the reader by saying, “Maybe I shouldn’t say this, but we all know it anyway,” as a way to justify his lies (Johnson 28). He believes that, “A crafty Negro, a shrewd black strategist, can work a prospective white employer around if he’s smart” (Johnson 28). And, that is just what he tries to do to Captain Falcon, even though the Captain does not find sympathy in his false hard-luck story. Calhoun then resorts to playing the role of the ignorant black man by affirming Falcon’s belief that Negroes “don’t think too well, or too often” (Johnson 28). Calhoun mimics the ignorance that Falcon expects by asking the Captain, “This isn’t a riverboat?”, as he is fully aware that it is a slave ship (Johnson 31). However, by assuming the role that Falcon expects and initially “wearing the mask” of an ignorant black man, Calhoun achieves his goal and allowed to work, without wage, on the vessel. As the reader approaches the latter part of the novel, Johnson forms a grotesque irony that illustrates a white man “wearing the mask” to accomplish his goal in the face of a black employer. He approaches Zebediah Singleton, “hat in hands,” in order to request money for his voyage (Johnson 148). “Oh,” Falcon says, “I grinned and gave all but gave him my backside to pat” (Johnson 148). In ironic terms, Johnson has Falcon assume the role of the “Happy Darky”. Falcon admits that he puts on a show for Singleton, even though he believes Singleton to be ignorant. Falcon says, “(It) is what I did, ‘cause I wanted this contract bad enough” (Johnson 148). Consequently, just as Calhoun “wears the mask” for a white man, Falcon “wears the mask” for a black man. Charles Johnson brings together, through grotesque irony, a theme which is sometimes found in African American novels. By having members of both races “wear the mask” to members of the opposite race, he shows how the performance of an anticipated role is utilized for personal gain, regardless of race. In grotesque fashion, the man who enslaves Falcon, Calhoun and countless others is a black man. The narrator is left to question how this man can “buy and sell slaves when he himself (is) black” (Johnson 150). Consequently, only the slaves and the businessman do not “wear the mask” for personal gain.

Home: Background on Middle Passage In the words of Charles Johnson... Biography A few notes on the author's life In the author's words... Quotations from various published interviews with Johnson Travis Ferrell on Middle Passage A position paper submitted to Dr. Frazier.. Heidi Bradley on Middle Passage A position paper submitted to Dr. Frazier.. Rebecca Pitts on Middle Passage A position paper submitted to Dr. Frazier.. Jude Morris on Middle Passage A position paper submitted to Dr. Frazier.. Previous Issues