The Intuitionist.

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Duoyuon Chen

Duoyuan Chen

Professor Jennifer Cuffman

English 281

04/18/2021

The Intuitionist

By reading Colson Whitehead's The Intuitionist, it is evident how can portray the impact

of discrimination and racial problem through a community that is experiencing technological

advancement to the point of futurism. Even the technologically the society seems to be

enlightened, in other aspects, it is determinedly unenlightened. The residents in this society are

entangled in mundane problems such as racial biases, political extortion and corruption, and

susceptible morality. Views drawn from the novel, including racism, illegal entries, spying, and

unsanctioned investigations, make Whitehead's antiquated society believable. The author appeal

to a parallel universe where inherent paradox in concerns of morality, politics and race come to

light.

Whitehead also used his writing prowess to mislead readers and Lila Mae's character by

offering false clues that stress the adversities of attaining upward mobility and compliance in a

racially biased society. In the novel, the inspector somehow holds one of the highest positions in

the communities' workforce. The inspectors are further divided into two types of inspectors, the

Intuitionist and the Empiricist. Colson Whitehead uses the two types of elevator inspectors to

indicate the differences in social class and the problems associated with racism. The main character

of the book was Lila Mae, who belonged to the group of intuitionist inspectors. This colored lady

was able to achieve a position that no other person of color could achieve.

Duoyuon Chen

The novel helps us understand that although it takes time, racial progression is gradual and

that it can be achieved if the right actions and steps are taken. It also shows us that characters can

be achieved if they are dedicated to the work, as evident in the character of Lila Mae. In some way,

the classes of Intuitionist and Empiricist are similar to feminism in the current world. In a world

where men were preferred jobs at a corporate level, women chose to stay home to take care of their

families. It the same case as to how Empiricist seemed to be endorsed for the elevator inspector

job, and the Intuitionist were trying to fight that norm. The main character, who is also a lady, is

faced with this problem as she is looked down upon because, in society, she is not regarded as the

same as men, the Empiricists.

Lila Mae Watson's character was a colored woman whose father was black draws some

focus on her father, who told her "white folks could turn on you any minute" (whitehead 23). Her

stans as a minority in the society and as the only black woman intuitionist draws a lot of attention

to her as a character in the novel. Because of her political affiliation as an intuitionist, Lila Mae

finds herself in a racial identity crisis with his fellow black American characters James Fulton and

Pompey. The two who had fitted well within the white society, maybe because they were men and

a woman, made it hard for Lila Mae to find where she belonged and was accepted.

The author also portrays Lila Mae as undeterred and unintimidated when people break into

her apartment. This is also depicted when she can uncover Natchez's deception and also when

Chancre's people kidnap her, as she remains compliant to a degree. In the Inspectors Academy,

she serenely accepts the room she gave, a converted janitor's closet. She remains polite even under

pressure and also dresses neatly and conservatively. She also tries her level best not to offend the

white people around her in the office. Like how women in today's society are objectified, the same

case is evident in the novel as the people around her objectify Lila Mae. She is shamelessly made

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Duoyuon Chen Duoyuan Chen Professor Jennifer Cuffman English 281 04/18/2021 The Intuitionist By reading Colson Whitehead's The Intuitionist, it is evident how can portray the impact of discrimination and racial problem through a community that is experiencing technological advancement to the point of futurism. Even the technologically the society seems to be enlightened, in other aspects, it is determinedly unenlightened. The residents in this society are entangled in mundane problems such as racial biases, political extortion and corruption, and susceptible morality. Views drawn from the novel, including racism, illegal entries, spying, and unsanctioned investigations, make Whitehead's antiquated society believable. The author appeal to a parallel universe where inherent paradox in concerns of morality, politics and race come to light. Whitehead also used his writing prowess to mislead readers and Lila Mae's character by offering false clues that stress the adversities of attaining upward mobility and compliance in a racially biased society. In the novel, the inspector somehow holds one of the highest positions in the communities' workforce. The inspectors are further divided into two types of inspectors, the Intuitionist and the Empiricist. Colson Whitehead uses the two types of elevator inspectors to indicate the differences in social class and the problems associated with racism. The main character of the book was Lila Mae, who belonged to the group of intuitionist inspec ...
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Tags: The Intuitionist Colson Whitehead racial problem point of futurism political extortion