Short Fiction · Chapter
Dead Men's Shoes explained
After the death of Monsieur Gamiche, his young ward Gilma is displaced by Gamiche's relatives, Septime and Ma'me Brozé, who take over the property and even try to claim his horse, Jupiter.
What happens
After the death of Monsieur Gamiche, his young ward Gilma is displaced by Gamiche's relatives, Septime and Ma'me Brozé, who take over the property and even try to claim his horse, Jupiter. Gilma seeks legal affidavits to prove his ownership of the horse, only to discover from Lawyer Paxton that Gamiche's will makes him the sole heir to the entire plantation and its assets.
Themes in this chapter
Social Class and Identity
Gilma's sudden inheritance transforms his social standing and sense of self, as he moves from a displaced dependent to a property owner.
Freedom and Confinement
Gilma's initial confinement by the relatives' takeover and his fight for the horse symbolize his struggle for autonomy, which is resolved by the liberating news of his inheritance.
Characters to notice
- Gilma
The young man who lived with Monsieur Gamiche for ten years; after Gamiche's death, he is displaced by relatives and fights to keep his horse, later learning he is the sole heir.
- Lawyer Paxton
The lawyer Gilma consults about the horse; he reveals that Gamiche made Gilma the sole heir to the plantation.
- Aunt Pinky
Referred to as Aunt Halifax; a field worker who provides an affidavit supporting Gilma's ownership of the horse.
Key passages
“It never occurred to any person to wonder what would befall Gilma now that 'le vieux Gamiche' was dead.”
No one thought about what would happen to Gilma after old Gamiche died.
Opens the chapter by highlighting Gilma's overlooked position.
“This spot was 'home' to him against the rest of the world. Every tree, every shrub was a friend; he knew every patch in the fences; and the little old house, gray and weather-beaten, that had been the shelter of his youth, he loved as only few can love inanimate things.”
The plantation was his only home; he loved every tree, shrub, and fence, and the old house that had sheltered him since youth.
Shows Gilma's deep emotional attachment to the land.
“Well, Mr. Germain, I reckon there won't be any trouble about regaining possession of the horse,' laughed Lawyer Paxton. 'I'm pleased to inform you, my dear sir, that our old friend, Gamiche, has made you sole heir to his property; that is, his plantation, including live stock, farming implements, machinery, household effects, etc.'”
Lawyer Paxton tells Gilma that not only will he get his horse back, but Gamiche's will makes him the sole heir to the entire plantation and all its belongings.
The pivotal revelation that transforms Gilma's fortunes.