Ballad Of Black Tom Good Vs Evil Essay

Brennan Sullivan

Linden

Freshman Honors English 2127

9 January 2023

The Binary Trap of Good vs. Evil Through the actions and conflicts of the characters, the novel ultimately argues that the idea of "good vs. evil" is a binary trap that fails to fully capture the complexity of human nature. The novel The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaValle explores this concept and proves that "good vs. evil" is not as clear-cut as it seems. Overall, the binary of good and evil within the novel fails to fully capture the complexity of human nature as demonstrated by how characters struggle with moral ambiguity and the story presents a complex view of morality. The character of Tommy Tester is conflicted about his actions proving that good vs. evil is too

"But Tommy Tester [could not] celebrate such a thing." (LaValle 22) Despite being drawn into Suydam's dangerous plans, Tommy cannot find any satisfaction or joy in his involvement. Thus showing how Tommy is not just good or bad for following Suydam’s plan and not having joy about it but instead he feels remorse and regret for what is happening to the people Suydam is controlling. This internal conflict further emphasizes the theme of the novel that good vs. evil is a binary trap that fails to fully capture the complexity of human nature. It is further demonstrated when Tommy is in possession of the yellow book called the Supreme Alphabet that he is delivering but it has properties of the arcane that can cause devastation. Tommy tester modifies the book so that it is “missing one page… Tommy tester [has] done this with purpose. It [renders] the tome useless, harmless.” (LaValle 19) So that when the book is trying to be used it will not work. This shows that Tommy, while still

evil. Malone was talking to Black Tom trying to calm him down by talking about his dad, but what he did not know was when “he looked down and [he] realized he [is holding] the pen out like a weapon.” (LaValle 104) Although Malone was trying to talk to Tommy in a peaceful way, unconsciously he held up his pen as if he was going to need to protect himself and is treating Tommy like a danger while also trying to be kind to him which shows that he is trying to bee good but is unknowingly showing that he is afraid and willing to harm Tommy thus showing there is more going on than good or bad. In addition to Malone showing indirect defense, he also shows that he believes in the arcane and that although he wants justice he also wants knowledge. Black Tom had stolen The Supreme Alphabet which has large amounts of power, yet “Black Tom had likely brought the book to his master. Malone must scheme a way to get the entire New York City police force over to Red Hook.” (LaValle 114) Since Black Tom had already brought the book to Suydam, the world was in danger and so in order to stop them he lied and expanded the truth to the others saying that many were kidnapped and that terrible things were happening while in truth there was not much going on, but Malone had to do this for the greater good in humanity. The character