Comparing Helga And The Autobiography Of An Ex-Colored Man

Both Helga and the narrator of the second passage share a similar interest; escaping their current lives and finding suffrage in new, untainted worlds. One theme that is easily identifiable in both passages is escape. Both main characters want to be free of the burdens implemented on them in their current lives. Helga is escaping the conflicts that’ve been surrounding her for quite a while, while the narrator of the second passage is trying to run away from a situation in which he is linked to the death of an innocent woman. It is evident in both passages that towards the endings, both characters seem to feel more at peace with themselves upon their arrivals to their destinations. Countless references of characters, events, and settings in both books help emphasize the obvious theme as escape as well as new beginnings. At the beginning of the excerpt from “Quicksand”, readers are given an insight of Helga's mind; she prefers to sit alone, away from the superfluity of humans. Details of the setting surrounding her, like the dull curtains or the sunset fading into a pale blue grey, readers can sense how she feels about her current status. However, once the tall buildings fade from her sight while the ship she’s on slowly sails away, readers can sense her slight relief at the clear …show more content…
It is revealed that the narrator had to do with the death of a woman, which lead to his endless guilt and self hatred. Readers can infer that the narrator is moving to Paris in order to start a new life and rid himself of the guilt that weighs him down every day. Once he sees the train that’ll finally lead him to Paris, he finds himself laughing at its’ toy-like structure, resembling a toy train brought to life. This sudden change in tone and attitude shows readers how the narrator finally begins to find himself after the death of the women mentioned in the first few