# XII: Bugsy's Chinese Pie explained — Banjo

> Chapter companion for Banjo by Claude McKay.

## What happens

Banjo and Ray discuss their panhandling strategies and share their earnings. They join the gang in front of a hotel where they encounter a religious woman from New York. The group shares a meal of Bugsy's Chinese pie, during which Banjo tells a story about Jerco in Harlem. Afterward, they see a starving white boy and Banjo gives him money, sparking a debate about race and charity.

## Themes in this chapter

### Race and Identity

The chapter explores the complexities of race, as Banjo and Ray discuss the double standards for black and white beggars, and Ray reflects on the psychological burden of being a man of color in a white-dominated society.

### Displacement and Homelessness

The characters are homeless wanderers, panhandling to survive, and the chapter depicts their precarious existence on the margins of society.

### Community and Comradeship

Despite conflicts, the group shares meals, looks out for each other, and forms a makeshift family in their shared struggle.

## Character check-ins

### Banjo

Shares his earnings, defends his generosity, and tells a story about Jerco.

### Ray

Reflects on race and civilization, and supports Banjo's charity.

### Bugsy

Makes a witty remark about French bread, gets into a fight with Banjo, and criticizes Banjo's charity.

### Malty Avis

Comments on French bread and is part of the group.

### Goosey

Mentions his good teeth and likes French bread.

### Ginger

Part of the group gathered around the religious woman.

### Dengel

Part of the group gathered around the religious woman.

### Kid Irish

Part of the group gathered around the religious woman.

## Key lines

> What’s his gag, pardner?” asked Banjo. “He’s a regular guy. I just got a hundred francs outa him.”

Banjo asks about a man, and Ray explains he got a hundred francs from him.

_Highlights the panhandling culture and the value of money._

> I got a message fwom the Lawd. He dreamed me in a vision and said, ‘Take up you’ Bible and hymnbook and go. Go far and fureign to a place fohgot of Gawd whar theah’s many black folks and white folkses all homeward bound for hell.’

The religious woman claims God sent her to Marseille to warn the people.

_Introduces a religious and prophetic element, contrasting with the secular lives of the characters._

> It’s like a rotten pimp up in the Ditch—all crust and no guts to it.

Bugsy compares French bread to a pimp, saying it has no substance.

_Shows the characters' wit and their critical view of French culture._

> I don’t give a low-down drilling about that,” replied Banjo. “The kid was hungry and I done give him a raise. I know more’n you do, perhaps, Bugsy, that being black ain’t the same as being white, but—Ain’t I right, pardner?”

Banjo defends his charity to the white boy, acknowledging racial differences but insisting on basic humanity.

_Central to the theme of race and identity, showing Banjo's moral stance._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/banjo_se/chapters/xii-bugsy-s-chinese-pie
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/banjo_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/banjo_se/chapters