in the essay \"Just Walk on By, by Brent Staples\". Staples begins his essay by
ID: 3501701 • Letter: I
Question
in the essay "Just Walk on By, by Brent Staples". Staples begins his essay by discussing the effect of his presence on another person. however, others reactions to his presence affect him in return, and he spends much of the essay explaining the emotional and practical effects he experiences as a consequence of his interactions. How is the complication and paradox of these situations expressed by the last sentence about staple's whistling classical music being the "equivalent of the cowbell that hikers wear when they know they are in bear country" (par12)? (from the book"50 Essays Fith Edtion Samuel Cohen)
Explanation / Answer
The essay "Just walk on by" or otherwise known as "Black men and public spaces" by Brent Staples uses music sounds such as whistling classical music and wearing cowbell in bear country in a paradoxical way.
Paradox means true yet contradictory statement.
Whistling classical music is an enjoyable entertaining activity whereas cowbell in bear country is used to ward off attack and is for survival. Brent says his whistling sound is equivalent to "cowbell that hikers wear when they are in bear country".
People have different inference about this comparison. Some say Brent is informing them that he is no threat while others say he is one.
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