I think I will need to read through it one more time to make sure I caught it all. This entire book is a metaphysical dialogue between a professor (White) and an ex-convict (Black). This book is definitely the musing of the Author's mind and heart in conflict over the reality or purpose of life. The whole setup is very "Yin-Yang" with each side merely debating their point to an impasse. Sooner or later I think most of us face this dilemma in our own lives and must painfully wade through it and likely arrive at no convincing conclusion. There definitely is a strong feeling of exasperation by both sides as they try to defend themselves and their views from the verbal barrage of the other.