# The Discomfort of Ellis explained — The Marrow of Tradition

> Chapter companion for The Marrow of Tradition by Charles W. Chesnutt.

## What happens

Ellis grapples with his moral responsibility after realizing that the man accused of murdering Mrs. Ochiltree may be innocent, and that Tom Delamere is likely the real culprit. He decides to investigate further and, if necessary, expose the truth to save the innocent man, even at great personal cost.

## Themes in this chapter

### Violence and Mob Rule

The chapter depicts the community's preparation for a lynching and the mob's dehumanizing frenzy, highlighting the dangers of mob rule.

### Racial Injustice

Sandy is nearly lynched based on circumstantial evidence and racial prejudice, illustrating systemic injustice against Black individuals.

### Identity and Passing

Ellis realizes that Tom Delamere, a white man, disguised himself as Sandy, exploiting racial assumptions to frame an innocent man.

## Character check-ins

### Mr. Ellis

Struggles with guilt and responsibility after his testimony helped fix the accused man's guilt; resolves to uncover the truth.

### Old Mr. Delamere

Deeply agitated after visiting Sandy in jail; meets Ellis and suspects the truth about his grandson.

### Tom Delamere

Implied to be the real murderer; Ellis believes he is the one who committed the crime.

### Sandy Campbell

Accused of murder and imprisoned; maintains silence during Old Mr. Delamere's visit.

## Key lines

> We fee the executioner, but we do not touch his bloody hand.

We pay the executioner but avoid contact with his bloody hand.

_Ellis reflects on the social stigma attached to those who carry out unpleasant but necessary duties._

> It might be possible to save this innocent negro without, for the time being, involving Delamere.

Perhaps he could rescue the innocent man without immediately implicating Delamere.

_Ellis considers a compromise to protect both Sandy and Tom Delamere's reputation._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_marrow_of_tradition_se/chapters/xxvi-the-discomfort-of-ellis
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_marrow_of_tradition_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_marrow_of_tradition_se/chapters