IX: Tom Practises Sycophancy explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Identity and Self

  Tom's identity is shattered as he learns he is not white but a slave, and his true name is Valet de Chambers, forcing a crisis of self.

• Race and Slavery

  The revelation that Tom is a slave by birth and the power dynamics between Roxy and Tom underscore the brutal realities of race and slavery.

• Deception and Appearance

  Roxy's long-held secret and Tom's false identity as a white gentleman highlight the theme of deception and the contrast between appearance and reality.

Characters to notice

• Tom Driscoll

  Tom is confronted by Roxy, who reveals he is her son and a slave. He is forced to call her 'ma' and agrees to give her half his pension.

• Roxana

  Roxy reveals the truth to Tom, asserting her authority and demanding half his monthly pension. She also tells him his father was Colonel Cecil Burleigh Essex.

• Chambers

  Roxy reveals that Chambers is actually Percy Driscoll's son and Tom's master, and that Tom's real name is Valet de Chambers.

Key passages

• “I’ve knelt to a nigger wench!”

  Tom is horrified that he has humbled himself before a black woman.

  Tom's internalized racism and shock at his subservience to Roxy.

• “You ain’t no more kin to ole Marse Driscoll den I is!— dat’s what I means!”

  Roxy reveals that Tom is not related to Judge Driscoll at all.

  The pivotal moment of revelation that Tom is not a Driscoll by blood.

• “You’s a nigger !— bawn a nigger en a slave !—en you’s a nigger en a slave dis minute”

  Roxy declares that Tom is black and a slave by birth and remains so.

  The stark declaration of Tom's true racial and legal status.

• “Does you ’member Cunnel Cecil Burleigh Essex, dat died de same year yo’ young Marse Tom Driscoll’s pappy died”

  Roxy identifies Tom's father as Colonel Cecil Burleigh Essex, a prominent local figure.

  Tom learns his father was a respected white aristocrat, which Roxy takes pride in.