# He Also Loved explained — Home to Harlem

> Chapter companion for Home to Harlem by Claude McKay.

## What happens

In the winter of 1916, Jake Brown, broke and new to New York, finds lodging with Ma Lawton and work at a saloon. He befriends Jerco and Rosalind, a couple living in the same building. When Rosalind falls gravely ill, Jerco pawns his belongings to pay for a doctor, but her condition worsens. The chapter explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the complexities of race and identity in Harlem.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Exploitation

Jerco's selfless love for Rosalind contrasts with the exploitative nature of their relationship, as he pawns everything to care for her.

### Race and Identity

The chapter discusses racial ambiguity in Harlem, with characters who look white but are considered colored, and the social implications.

### Labor and Class

Jake's low-wage job at the saloon and Jerco's inability to find work highlight the economic struggles of Harlem's working class.

## Character check-ins

### Jake Brown

Narrator of the chapter, working at a saloon and living in Ma Lawton's flat.

### Jerco

Jericho Jones, a friend of Jake's, deeply devoted to Rosalind, pawns his belongings for her care.

### Congo Rose

Rosalind Whicher, Jerco's partner, falls seriously ill and is cared for by Ma Lawton.

### Ma Lawton

Landlady, kind-hearted, provides care for Rosalind and manages her lodgers.

## Key lines

> I thought I was pretty well fixed for such a hard winter.

I believed I was well-prepared for the difficult winter.

_Jake reflects on his situation after finding work and lodging._

> There’s no sure telling white from high-yaller these days.

It's hard to distinguish between white people and light-skinned black people nowadays.

_Jake comments on racial ambiguity in Harlem._

> I’d do anything. There ain’t anything too low I wouldn’t do to raise a little money.

I would do anything, no matter how degrading, to get some money.

_Jerco expresses his desperation to help Rosalind._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/home_to_harlem_se/chapters/xvii-he-also-loved
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/home_to_harlem_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/home_to_harlem_se/chapters