In paragraph 2, what does the phrase “I’ve studied whiteness the way I would a foreign language” suggest about Conley?

This phrase by Conley shows that white people do not bother about the implications of the privileges they get as 'whites' in the memoir "Honkey" by Dalton Conley.

Explanation:

Dalton Conley in this memoir describes how race and class shaped his life and how their are inequalities in American society. He shows the privileges of being white and the power of education.This story depicts how culture plays an important role when it comes to class and race. He grew up as a white boy of Bohemian parents in an African American neighborhood. Dalton surrounded by non whites made him realize the true meaning of being 'white' through his experiences.

Conley is probably very thorough, and feels a responsibility to know what is being discussed.

Explanation: Thats a metaphoric phrase. When you study a foreign language, you would pay attention to every detail, very thorough, and learn whats being taught. So they are saying they studied whitness the same way.

explanation:

the goblins and dwarves have different perspectives of things. bilbo is a hobbit and goblins dwarves and hobbits all believe and do a different way of living