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Kipps and Belsey: Chapter 8
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in On Beauty, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
The Nature of Beauty
Politics in Academia
Race and Identity
The Value of Family
Summary
Analysis
Levi makes it home right before the anniversary party. He isn’t looking forward to the party, and so he has mixed emotions when he gets a text from Carl saying that he might stop by. As Levi goes inside, he runs into Zora, who is upset that Levi made her and Jerome do all the preparations.
Levi seems to be disappointed that he may have to meet Carl at a family event, since in that context, Levi will be unable to hide the fact that he comes from a suburban background—something he feels clashes with his “urban” style.
Themes
When Levi gets inside, Howard is cooking, covered in flour, and drinking wine. Levi complains that he doesn’t like the neighborhood and that a woman thought he was a robber earlier (referring to the older Black woman he met on the way). As Kiki listens to Levi describe the woman, she realizes that it’s Carlene, meaning the Kippses now live in their neighborhood. She feels she has to invite them to the party, although Howard is reluctant.
Levi exaggerates his encounter with Carlene earlier, making it sound as if she racially profiled him due to his style of dress. This further develops Levi’s conception of Blackness. Based on the media he’s consumed, he feels that being Black and being a victim of racial stereotyping are mutually exclusive. Ironically, in this case, it's only Levi himself who is guilty of any racial stereotyping.
Themes
Levi feels that his parents are getting mad at him just for being the messenger of the news about the Kippses. When Levi says “Fuck you” to Howard, Kiki slaps him, causing Howard to suddenly turn against her and say he doesn’t believe in Florida-style parenting. Everything is tense as the hour of the party arrives.
This passage helps to illustrate the difference between Kiki and Howard. While Howard relies on his words and abstract principles, Kiki’s use of violence here indicates her straightforward, practical way of being. Increasingly, it becomes clear that Kiki and Howard have very different ways of looking at and behaving in the world.
Themes
