# The Gift That Billy Gave explained — Home to Harlem

> Chapter companion for Home to Harlem by Claude McKay.

## What happens

Jake and Felice celebrate Saturday night by dining at the Nile Queen and watching a movie from the 'nigger heaven' of a Broadway theater. They then visit a new, fashionable Jewish-owned cabaret in Harlem, which is drawing both Black and white crowds. They meet Billy Biasse, who buys them champagne, and the second cook from the railroad, who tells them Ray has left for the sea. After a tense moment when Zeddy appears and apologizes for his earlier threats, Jake and Felice decide to leave Harlem for Chicago. They pack their things and go to the Baltimore, which has reopened after being padlocked.

## Themes in this chapter

### Harlem Renaissance Culture

The chapter vividly depicts the vibrant social scene of Harlem's cabarets, with music, fashion, and a mix of Black and white patrons, highlighting the cultural ferment of the era.

### Displacement and Wandering

Jake's decision to leave Harlem for Chicago, prompted by the threat of violence and a desire to escape, underscores the theme of rootlessness and the search for a place to belong.

### Race and Identity

The chapter explores racial dynamics through the cabaret's appeal to both Black and white audiences, the term 'nigger heaven,' and the description of the Black singer's performance.

## Character check-ins

### Jake Brown

Celebrates with Felice, accepts Billy Biasse's gift, reconciles with Zeddy, and decides to leave Harlem for Chicago.

### Felice

Prefers a 'niftier' place to dine, enjoys the cabaret, and persuades Jake to leave Harlem for Chicago.

### Billy Biasse

Joins Jake and Felice at the cabaret and buys them champagne as a gift.

### Zeddy Plummer

Appears to apologize to Jake for his earlier threats and reconciles with him before leaving.

### Ray

Mentioned as having quit the railroad for the sea.

## Key lines

> We gotta celebrate tonight

Felice insists they must celebrate this evening.

_Felice initiates the night's festivities._

> I say Ise gwineta blow. Toss off that theah liquor, you two. Ise gwineta blow champagne as mah compliments, old top.

Billy Biasse announces he will buy champagne for Jake and Felice as his treat.

_Billy's gift is the central event of the chapter._

> I hear you friend Ray done quit us for the ocean, Jakey.

The second cook tells Jake that Ray has left the railroad to go to sea.

_This news confirms Ray's departure, a key plot point._

> I think we had better let Harlem miss us foh a little while.

Felice suggests they leave Harlem for a while to avoid trouble.

_Felice's fear for Jake's safety leads to their decision to leave._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/home_to_harlem_se/chapters/xxi-the-gift-that-billy-gave
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/home_to_harlem_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/home_to_harlem_se/chapters