The Epilogue is the only chapter of the book that is told directly from Alex Hailey's perspective. How does this point of view change your perception of the book? What new things did you learn about Malcolm X by reading this section? We probably hear more about Sister Betty in this section than any other in the book. How does it shape your perception of her?
Some other questions:
- On the first page of the epilogue, Hailey refers to the Nation of Islam as a cult, not a religion. What tone does this word set?
- Why does Hailey leave napkins out when he interviews Malcolm X?
- What is your sense of Malcolm X's view towards women?
- Hailey, when he first was interviewing Malcolm X, asked about his mother. Why does this make an impact on Malcolm X?
- What is the significance that Malcolm X called Alex Hailey in the middle of the night, told him he trusted him 70%, and hung up? What is your sense about their relationship?
Spend some time this week reflecting on what you learned by reading this book. You'll need to return to the book for the final exam so now might by be a good time to reflect on the central messages you found here.
I think it seems significant--and poignant--that Malcolm X had decided that he was going to absolve the Nation of Islam of bombing his home. He seemed to want to keep from fighting w/ other black nationalists and activists. I think if he, and MLK, had lived that they would have inevitably begun to collaborate. It seems that just as he was opening to the idea of collaborating with black liberals and whites, he was killed. I'd like to think that if he was still alive, he would have revised his dated and sexist views toward women.
ReplyDeleteWhat is your sense of Malcolm X's view towards women?
ReplyDeleteMalcolm often speaks of the importance of women in relation to Islam, but usually does so relative to men. For example, he seems to judge women by how they treat their husbands. Throughout the telling of his story, Malcolm seems to have little respect for women, often making base assumptions about the natural behavior of females, much in the same way he did for race. He expresses that a good woman should be a respectful and obedient one, and often speaks on their tendency to manipulate men. As he says in the epilogue, "I've seen too many men destroyed by their wives, or their women." Though Malcolm admits to not fully trusting anyone, it is still shocking that he claims that he trusts his wife only "seventy-five percent."
As I mentioned earlier, Malcolm seemed to express that there was a certain element of human nature that could not be ignored when it came to women, in the same way that earlier in his life, he believed that racial groups had distinct behavioral and psychological differences. It certainly seems, at least, that he didn't respect a woman's capabilities nearly as much as a man's.
when Malcolm x was learning the practice of religion Islam he was very passionate in his culture. Hailey make think that the nation of Islam as a cult but what he doesn't know that not all religions start off a certified religion. when a religion is first introduced such as Christianity it is first presented as a cult starting off with a few people then soon will increasing in its size. in Hailey perspective it explains to the reader of how he felt during this tragic event and what other people thought about the horrific event. it explain how people looked up to him and his goals. X was the person to make sure he got his word out to the public even though i would be risking his life.
ReplyDeleteThe significance of Malcolm calling Alex that he 70% trust him was because there was a lot of separatist who wanted nothing more to keep blacks and whites separate from each other. Malcolm was a bridge between two races coming together at least as a neutral point which means that he would be targeted by the group. Malcolm expected Alex to be one of the group but yet also trust him because he does not show any extreme emotions which leads to this very moment. This shows that Malcolm is paranoid but not afraid to speak out his mind.
ReplyDeleteMalcom X's views towards women is that he does not hold them to a high standard as most men put their women. He believes you can never fully trust a women. He has seen too many men ruin their lives over their desire to entrust their well being on them. This is also includes Malcom X's wife whom he has told the same thing to as Alex Hailey. He only trusts some to the maximum to 75% which only sister Betty has upheld. He does not even trust himself fully. If no one can fully trust themselves, no one should entrust their livelihood to a women.
ReplyDeleteIt takes a long time for Haley to win the trust of Malcolm. In Haley’s own words, he mentions, “We got off to a very poor start.” Malcolm was stiff and formal, spouting propaganda while revealing little of himself. “You, I trust about 25 percent,” he said, and Haley began to think the project might have to be abandoned.after numerous interview sessions with Haley in New York City, Malcolm opens up.
ReplyDeleteIn the autobiography of Malcolm X, Alex Haley leaves out napkins every time he interviews Malcolm X in order to collect his thoughts or whatever he was scribbling about. On page 395-396, there is a specific paragraph with a few lines that state " he often simultaneously scribbled with his red-ink ball point pen on any handy paper". Alex Haley would bring up certain topics and listen to what Malcolm has to say, but the napkins that has been scribbled on reveals more than what he was speaking about.
ReplyDeletethe significance that Malcolm X called Alex Hailey in the middle of the night, telling him that he trusted him 70% and hung up means that Malcolm warmed up to hailey but he was still suspicious of him but that shows how malcolm was still suspicious of some white men but he has learned how to start to trust them.
ReplyDeleteSister Betty was not talked about specifically throughout the book and was described more in detail in the epilogue. From what I have read she is a quiet yet head strong woman. She played many roles such as wife, mother, secretary, housekeeper and Malcolm's confidante.She managed to endure his work schedule and was a witness to his assassination. Being a nurse she might have been able to help in some sort of way but she realized Malcolm was just past the point of saving. In my perspective I would not know how to help my husband and would probably react in the same manner.
ReplyDeleteWhen Alex Halley's perspective is shown at the end of the book, it changes and adds something more to the book. It changes book because now you are reading how Malcolm feels from a different perspective. It adds something to the book because throughout the book we read all about Malcolm but now the roles have switched and Malcolm is being interviewed. It is different when you write about how you feel but when talking to somebody else about it, they can see it in a different way. People interpret things differently and it is hard to trust how people will view your words and make you sound. Malcolm throughout the book is seen as someone who loves to voice his opinion, but when Alex is talking to him he keeps quiet and only shares a little. Throughput the book Malcolm shares how he feels but in an interview does not, which is kinda strange to me. Later, Malcolm X opens up to Halley because now they have been talking for a while and now he is gaining trust. One night, Malcolm calls Halley to tell him that he trusts him 70%. This will change this relationship more because now Malcolm will release more personal things. Halley noticed one important thing during the interviews, it was that Malcolm would always write on paper with red pen. Malcolm would write about his thoughts and different things on the paper. Halley started to collected and lay more papers out at there interviews and started to collect them so that he could get a better perspective of Malcolm. I think Malcolm is a strong man that likes to voice his opinion on bad things going on in the world, but when it comes to his personal life he likes to keep it kind of brief. In this section of the book, we also hear a lot about Sister Betty(Malcolm's wife). I think Malcolm's mother and wife are very similar. When Malcolm talks about his mother, we all see that she is hardworking and loving but later on had a breakdown with Malcolm's fathers death. Malcolm lets down his wall a little when talking about his mother because he was so heartbroken when everything happened to her with her mental health, but now he has forgiven himself from that. Malcolm's wife is a very hardworking woman and she takes care of their kids. Malcolm's mother and wife are living the same life to me because they now have seen both of their husbands die and their life will change in a huge way after.
ReplyDeleteOne thing i took away from it that impacted me was when in the book he felt like his time was coming , how he felt he was going to be the cause of a violent death, just like in the movie when its being intrepid he smiles and it seems he is at peace with it , like he did what he did and now it was time for him to go and leave his mark
ReplyDeleteHailey, when he first was interviewing Malcolm X, asked about his mother. Why does this make an impact on Malcolm X?
ReplyDeletetalking about his mother had an impact on Malcolm x because discussing about what happen to his mother was a very emotional and personal subject for him to talk about because his mother had mental illness issues and was committed to a mental hospital, Nevertheless Malcolm wasn't ready to tell people about his mother because he was still hurting at the time. In my opinion i think that he also didn't want talk about his mother because his didn't want to show his emotion because "men are not supposed to show their emotions" so he kept his feelings inside until he was ready to talk about it.