Ta-Nehisi Coates Analysis

Between the World and Me Analysis
Ta-Nehisi Coates
Read the text and thoughtfully answer the questions in a different font color.
1. Ta-Nehisi Coates begins with a scene where the police stop him in his car.
How does he build suspense in this opening paragraph? Specifically, how does he blend
what is happening to him externally and what is going through his mind? What makes
this strategy effective?
He builds the suspense with them approaching on both sides of the car, the stories he had
heard about them through the multiple sources, and the description of the officer’s
movements. This blends into the narrative of the unexplainable actions of the officers as well
as the idea that they were just able to walk after the incidents. His fear of the officers still
remains throughout the entire quoted passage and this portrayal represents how he lived in
fear of so many things throughout his life.
2. What is the rhetorical situation of this letter? Consider the broader context of a father
writing to his teenage son, but then also consider that this letter is not a traditional
letter: it is a book-length work that Coates wrote with the intention of publishing, and it
is therefore a public document. To what extent are these aspects of the context at odds
with each other?
The rhetorical situation of this letter as well as the method of explaining his story through
writing a letter to his son shows a sense of intimate trust as well as the idea that we are reading
something that has no bias. That it is the pure thought process of Ta-Nehisi Coates. Although
this is not the normal length of a letter, i don't believe that it was ever intended to be a real
letter to his son. I believe it was a story of his life directed towards his son so that he could
understand his fathers upbringing and challenges in life that lead to the development of his
views. These two are at odds with each other because now the idea of public viewing can cause
a different tone and delivery of his message.
3. In paragraph 5, Coates comments on the concept of “‘police reform’” -- which he places

in quotes. What is his assessment of its value? To what extent might such an appraisal
alienate his readers? Why might he be willing to take that chance?
He believes that there is no possible ways for police reform to work, that although new
technology will always aid in the investigation of cases, that there is no way to know what the
“attitude” of the officers. This alienates some readers by politically isolating those who believe
in police reform. I believe that he upset many more readers such as myself by saying that all
cops and firefighters are “menaces of nature” and “not human”, even those that died in 9/11
and their inventions were “no different than the officer who killed Prince Jones”
4. What effect does Coates’s use of figurative language have on the emotional appeal of
his argument ? Consider at least four examples. For instance, “The earthquake cannot
be subpoenaed. The typhoon will not bend under indictment” (para. 9).
They were the fire, the comet, the storm- this shows the great impact and ability of the officers
and firefighters to take and save a life
These officers had my body, and they could do whatever they please- there was no way for him
to fight back or resist.
Many of them twice as good- his description of people who were brought up not to fear
everyday life and had a steady start.
It is the kiss you do not have time to share, before she walks out on your life- the opportunities
that are stolen from you.
These have an impact of making the letter seem more causal and gives a deeper meaning of
the information as well as a look into the inner workings of the author’s brain.
5. Note how Coates addresses the passage of time throughout this excerpt, indicating
multiple shifts with phrases such as “Shortly before you were born” (para. 1), “Days
late” (para. 4), “At this moment” (para. 5), “Weeks wore on” (para. 7), and “In those
days” (para. 21). What is the effect of continually shifting between present, immediate
past, and distant past? How do these structural shifts serve Coates’s purpose?
They serve his purpose by showing several dark periods of his life when he was reminded of
Prince’s death, as well as showing the common themes that are shared between them
6. Some critics have argued that although Between the World and Me is a direct address to
his son, Coates is actually crafting his message for a wider (mostly white) audience, as
his position would likely be familiar to his family and to other African Americans. Based
on this excerpt, who do you think is the audience for Between the World and Me?
Consider how Coates establishes his ethos, and support your response with specific
reference to the text.
I agree that the target audience is mostly white audience. He uses their daily actions as a way
to show how ignorant he thinks they are of the african american community while expressing
his views on police and their inhuman characteristics no matter who they are. He shows how
hard it was for him and compares himself to the “twice as good” mindset people. He more
directly attacks the ideology and laws that the government has currently as well as those who
protect and serve, saying that “I see no difference between the officers who killed Prince Jones
and the police, or the firefighters that died.” when referencing the attacks of 9/11. His blattent
attacks towards both firefighters and police could be said in a much less inflammatory sense
that his son would more likely understand, showing that he is meaning this for a greater public.
7. Although Coates is developing a strong and logical argument, he primarily structures it

as a narrative, or story. Why do you think this rhetorical strategy is or is not effective?
He structures it as a story, but one that has multiple timelines going. He skips around a lot
when telling the story to make similar points. I think there is a point to it and an effective
strategy if used right. He moves onto a different time in almost every paragraph, and there are
much stronger points and transitions that can be used for these instances.
8. One reviewer described Coates’s style as “a departure from the rhetoric of the civil
rights movement, or at least the civil rights movement that has been sanitized and
commercialized for mass consumption. Because of these departures, Coates’s hope
feels stark and brutal.” Do you agree or disagree with this characterization of his
rhetoric? Explain with specific reference to the text.
I also agree that this is a departure from most civil rights pieces because of the means of who it
is directed towards. His son takes a prominent role in the shape of his story and the entire
letter is to him, but is seen from the third person point of view or as if a stranger had
intercepted the letter. This is much different from the rhetoric of most civil rights papers.
Another sense that it departs from the normal writing is through the intense infusion of
personal beliefs and the first person view to demonstrate exact instances of the application of
his views.

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Between the World and Me Analysis

3. In paragraph 5, Coates comments on the concept of “‘police reform’” -- which he places

7. Although Coates is developing a strong and logical argument, he primarily structures it

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