The protagonist is a young Black man who is thoughtful, articulate, and driven. His name is never given in the text, nor is the alias that the Brotherhood assigns him. When the book begins, the protagonist wholeheartedly believes in the idea that even though Black people suffer from disadvantages that linger after the slave era, it is possible for them to “better” themselves through hard work and effort. He also believes that functional, selfless partnerships between Black people and White people are possible. The events of the novel gradually undermine his beliefs and force him to realize that the only possible way to define himself is by listening to his inner authority rather than searching for it outside of himself.

Along the way, the protagonist places his trust in various ideas or institutions. First, it is the idea that the White people in his southern hometown want to hear his graduation speech in Chapter 1, then his earnest belief that he will be successful by becoming part of the college community. Next, he hopes to find stability and empowerment by working at the Liberty Paint factory, a hope that is quickly quenched after a single day working there.