Why don’t the narrator and the other man want to hold Edward for ransom? Is their motivation internal or external?
in " Why, You Reckon?"
This is one of my favorite stories, if I remember correctly the motivation was external
In the short story "Why, You Reckon?" by Langston Hughes, the narrator and the other man do not want to hold Edward for ransom because they discover that he is a Black man. Their motivation for not wanting to hold him for ransom is primarily external, driven by racial discrimination and the knowledge that it would be extremely risky and potentially dangerous to demand a ransom for a Black man in a racially segregated society.
In the short story "Why, You Reckon?" by Langston Hughes, the narrator and the other man do not want to hold Edward for ransom because their motivation is internal rather than external.
To understand the reason behind their reluctance, we need to analyze the story. In the beginning, the narrator encounters a man who claims to be Jesus. The man asks the narrator to help him catch a train, and they end up in the narrator's room. It is revealed that Edward, a wealthy white man, has gone missing, and the narrator suspects that Edward may be Jesus.
The narrator and the other man are initially tempted to hold Edward for ransom because of his wealth, which is an external motivation. However, as the story progresses, it becomes clear that their motivation is driven by a desire for justice and equality, which is internal.
Throughout the story, the narrator and the other man discuss racial injustices, class disparities, and the mistreatment of African Americans. They express their frustration with a society that oppresses people like themselves. By deciding not to hold Edward for ransom, they make a statement about the importance of human dignity and the need for social equality.
Their internal motivation is driven by a larger purpose, beyond personal gain. They realize that holding Edward for ransom would perpetuate the cycle of injustice, and instead choose to focus on challenging the systemic issues that plague their society.
In summary, the narrator and the other man refuse to hold Edward for ransom because their motivation is internal rather than external. They prioritize justice and equality over personal gain, making a statement about the larger societal issues they face.