Every black person in America felt threatened by other races during the 1950s both physically and emotionally. In order to understand what someone else is going through, that person must be willing to see everything through the other’s point of view.

Throughout the novel, John Griffin wonders what it is like to be a black man in the south during the 1950s. What he finds proves to be very disturbing as he now realizes the true hatred and segregation shown to the African Americans.

Many people strongly believe in systematic oppression towards black Americans. However these feelings are also contrasted by those who do not see oppression as a fact.

“This tendency to make laws that are convenient or advantageous rather than right has mushroomed” (Griffin 50).
In the 1900s there were many laws passed in order to keep the black people as inferior to white people as possible. Luckily these laws changed however many people felt the repercussions of racism long after.

“How can you render the duties of justice to men when they may destroy you?” (Griffin 127).
Griffin uses this quote to appeal to the ethical side of humanity as he tries to guilt the audience into doing good for the sake of humanity.

“Fear dims even the sunlight” (Griffin 18).
Although this quote is extremely short, it uses the readers emotions to reveal that love will always drown out hate no matter the circumstance.

Throughout the novel Griffin uses metaphors and similes to ensure the reader grasps the images he is trying to portray. These devices form a strong structure around the points he gets across and how the situations he gets into actually feel.