# X: The Railroad explained — Home to Harlem

> Chapter companion for Home to Harlem by Claude McKay.

## What happens

Jake Brown, now working as a third cook on a railroad dining car, seeks to escape Harlem's hold. During a quiet moment, he borrows money from a well-read waiter and discovers the man is Haitian. The waiter introduces Jake to the history of Haiti, Toussaint L’Ouverture, and the Haitian Revolution, expanding Jake's worldview about black history and culture. Jake also learns about Sappho and the term 'Lesbian,' challenging his Harlem-centric views.

## Themes in this chapter

### Education and Intellectualism

Jake's encounter with the Haitian waiter opens his mind to black history and literature, challenging his previous ignorance.

### Race and Identity

Jake's initial prejudice against foreigners is challenged as he learns about the greatness of black leaders like Toussaint L’Ouverture.

### Displacement and Wandering

Jake takes the railroad job to escape Harlem, embodying a sense of wandering and searching for belonging.

## Character check-ins

### Jake Brown

Working as a third cook on the railroad, trying to break Harlem's hold. Engages with a Haitian waiter and learns about Haiti and Toussaint L’Ouverture.

### Ray

A waiter on the train, well-read and Haitian. Educates Jake about Haiti, Toussaint L’Ouverture, and Sappho.

## Key lines

> Jake felt like one passing through a dream, vivid in rich, varied colors. It was revelation beautiful in his mind.

Jake was deeply moved and inspired by the stories of Haiti and Toussaint L’Ouverture, feeling as if he were in a vivid dream.

_Jake's awakening to black history._

> Jake was very American in spirit and shared a little of that comfortable Yankee contempt for poor foreigners.

Jake initially held typical American prejudices against foreigners, but his perspective began to change.

_Jake's initial prejudice and its challenge._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/home_to_harlem_se/chapters/x-the-railroad
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/home_to_harlem_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/home_to_harlem_se/chapters