Firstly, the setting itself, a train dining car in Virginia, highlights the segregation that was prevalent at the time. The dining car is divided by a partition, separating the white passengers from the African American passengers, including the narrator. This physical barrier symbolizes the social and racial divisions that existed in society.
Secondly, the interactions between the characters reveal the power dynamics and prejudices of the time. The narrator, a young African American man, is treated with condescending remarks and discriminatory behavior by the white characters. For instance, the waiter initially refuses to serve the narrator, stating, "They don't serve niggers here." Even when the narrator points out that he has the money, the waiter's response is dismissive, demonstrating the deep-rooted racial prejudices and the lack of respect for African Americans.
Thirdly, the narrator's own reflections and observations further emphasize the conflict. As he sits in the dining car, he notes the stark contrast between the lavish breakfast enjoyed by the white passengers and the meager meal offered to him. This disparity underscores the economic and social inequalities faced by African Americans and highlights the discriminatory practices that denied them equal opportunities and privileges.
Throughout the story, Hughes skillfully portrays the racial tensions, segregation, and prejudice experienced by African Americans in the Jim Crow South. The central conflict lies in the narrator's struggle to navigate a society marked by racial inequality and the longing for a world where such discrimination no longer exists.