The Spook Who Sat By the Door considers the fundamental issues regarding the American Civil Right movements and also questions the black militancy against the non-violence principles of their leaders. It further reflects dreams of the Black community despite the harsh realities of Afro-American life. Another important aspect of the novel is that it creates paradoxical feeling among readers. Sometime they considers the Afro-American militants gangs as the predators who loot the White properties where on the other occasions these gangs seems to be the protectors of the Black communities against the atrocities of the White.
He further takes into consideration the various manifestation and aspects of a militancy movement. For example, he puts lights on the enigma of law enforcement agencies who provide training to personnel and use them for their own vested interests and later these personnel used these expertises against the agency itself. It further reflects their dedication to a cause as against material gains.
Greenlee has set the story in the proper historical context and has considered all the manifestation of that era i.
e. Civil Rights Movement, gay rights movement, Feminist movement etc. Greenlee’s observation is incisive and he also provides deep insight in the psychological beings of certain characters.
Freeman’s training to freedom fighters in Chicago is a manifestation of this keen observation. Although book deals with the racial politics and issues in a great detail but its stereotypical characterization mars the overall impact of the story. Overall novel is related to the American dream and ideals of equality and freedom and it shows its darker side i.
e. the perturbed dream of social equality and its outcome as militant struggle to realize this dream.