Question

Discuss the conclusion of "Arrangement in Black and White." Determine whether or not the conflict is resolved. What does this ending reveal about the main character?

Answer 1

In “Arrangement in Black and White,” the conflict does not seem to ever be resolved, especially because of how the story ends with how the protagonist voices how she looks down on the white actress Katherine Burke because she thinks she doesn’t look as white in person as she does on stage.  The ending reveals she is racist and probably always will be no matter how hard she tries to convince herself (or the host) otherwise. 

Answer 2

Answer:

Explanation:

In the story "Arrangement in black and white" I don't think the conflict ever really gets resolved. The Protagonist always seems to be showing her racist, and discriminatory side, even when she tries to conceal it. Throughout the story, the main character seems like she is trying to be and talk like someone she is not, in order to impress those around her. In my opinion, her intention is there but it would be much less problematic if she was just not a racist person in general. But that ties into the whole conflict of the story: that some people simply cannot change. The whole story she is trying to prove to everyone that SHE is not the racist one, but that her husband is, as if it makes herself sound any better. She tells her host that "All he says is, he says he hasn’t got a word to say against colored people as long as they keep their place". This is a contadictory sentence in itself, but the woman seems so involved in trying to make herself look better, that she doesn't realize that what she is telling about her husband is still making her look bad.