Saturday, November 21, 2015

How does the quote by Tea Cake in Chapter 11, "You got de keys to do kingdom," create an allusion to another kingdom?

You clearly meant "allusion," so I've made that change in
your question.


The first possibility that comes to mind is
an allusion to the heavenly kingdom. "The keys to the kingdom" is part of a bible verse;
Jesus says that he will give these to Peter (Matthew 16:17-20). This bible passage is
common in African American folklore, such as the tale of the "flyin' fool" in
The Norton Anthology of African American Literature. It seems to me
very likely that Hurston is recording a phrase that she's heard other black people
use.


Another possibility, of course, is a reference to Tea
Cake's heart. That's not so much an allusion as a metaphor, though. An allusion is a
clear reference to something, such a work of literature (the bible counts, of course, as
a work of literature). A metaphor is less specific in what it refers
to.

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