Race and Racism

One function of the novel is to illustrate the depth and prevalence of racism in the modern era; Wallace’s experiences and perspective showcase both the frequency and the harm of such dynamics in present-day America. As the novel notes, Wallace is a distinct ethnic minority, both in the university and in the surrounding town. Wallace’s graduate class in the university’s biochemistry department is “the first in more than three decades to include a black person” (4). Due to this racial disparity—and due to ingrained societal racism—Wallace is the victim of many instances of injustice. For example, whenever Wallace’s labmate Dana levels false accusations at Wallace, the lab supervisor—Simone—defaults to believing the accusations. Due to the myriad forms of oppression that Wallace faces, his time at the program is often unbearable. These plot points encourage readers—particularly readers...