The “Talented Tenth,” a term popularized by W.E.B. DuBois, calls for a group of intellectuals to rise and lead the black race. The idea of a “Talented Tenth” is discussed through select characters in the novel Iola Leroy by Frances Harper: Iola Leroy, Harry Leroy, Robert Johnson, and Dr. Latimer. Harper not only contemplates the mechanics behind the “Talented Tenth” through character development, but also through the dichotomous nature of conversations throughout the novel.
Iola and Harry Leroy are clear choices to represent the black community because they are educated and serve as messengers between black and white communities, given their mulatto nature. Representing the ideal protagonist, Iola Leroy remains optimistic and mature when she …show more content…
The Conversazione consisted of well established educated black leaders in the community, many of whom were pastors; the secret meeting in the woods consisted of uneducated, with the exception of education gained from stealing books and newspapers, slaves. The difference in education of the two populations might be interpreted to suggest that only educated black people can improve the status of the black community, or only the blacks closest to the white community in terms of character and status can enhance the standings of the black …show more content…
There is a clear progression in the novel from regional speech to proper speech. In a conversation between Dr. Gresham and Iola, the two could not immediately understand the meaning behind a black man saying “I no shum’” (118). The bewilderment following the black man’s simple statement emphasizes the distance between regular blacks and the intellectual blacks. How can educated mulattoes be expected to represent the black community when they cannot understand their constituents? Dr. Gresham’s reaction to the black man shows a distaste for the regional, uneducated speakers: “Of course, this does not apply to all of them. Some of them are wide-awake and sharp as steel traps. I think some of that class may be used in helping others” (118). Dr. Gresham believes that certain members, such as the black man, will remain unfit to represent the best of the black community, but those who are refined and educated, therefore similar to Dr. Gresham and other whites, can be saviors for the race. The conversation between Iola and Dr. Gresham centers around a need for educators to mitigate the effects of slavery, including dialect and rhetoric. Regional speakers are more distanced from the middle-class, white qualities. Additionally, if the goal is integration into white society, blacks that are able to communicate and function with
Iola and Harry Leroy are clear choices to represent the black community because they are educated and serve as messengers between black and white communities, given their mulatto nature. Representing the ideal protagonist, Iola Leroy remains optimistic and mature when she …show more content…
The Conversazione consisted of well established educated black leaders in the community, many of whom were pastors; the secret meeting in the woods consisted of uneducated, with the exception of education gained from stealing books and newspapers, slaves. The difference in education of the two populations might be interpreted to suggest that only educated black people can improve the status of the black community, or only the blacks closest to the white community in terms of character and status can enhance the standings of the black …show more content…
There is a clear progression in the novel from regional speech to proper speech. In a conversation between Dr. Gresham and Iola, the two could not immediately understand the meaning behind a black man saying “I no shum’” (118). The bewilderment following the black man’s simple statement emphasizes the distance between regular blacks and the intellectual blacks. How can educated mulattoes be expected to represent the black community when they cannot understand their constituents? Dr. Gresham’s reaction to the black man shows a distaste for the regional, uneducated speakers: “Of course, this does not apply to all of them. Some of them are wide-awake and sharp as steel traps. I think some of that class may be used in helping others” (118). Dr. Gresham believes that certain members, such as the black man, will remain unfit to represent the best of the black community, but those who are refined and educated, therefore similar to Dr. Gresham and other whites, can be saviors for the race. The conversation between Iola and Dr. Gresham centers around a need for educators to mitigate the effects of slavery, including dialect and rhetoric. Regional speakers are more distanced from the middle-class, white qualities. Additionally, if the goal is integration into white society, blacks that are able to communicate and function with