The Quest of the Silver Fleece · Chapter
The Mob explained
Emma, Bertie's child, returns from nurse training and becomes a helper at the school.
What happens
Emma, Bertie's child, returns from nurse training and becomes a helper at the school. Mrs. Cresswell, seeking redemption, schemes to marry Emma to Bles. Zora establishes a small hospital where Emma cares for injured white mill children, gradually winning over their mothers. However, the sheriff's anger at seeing white children in the Negro school incites a mob to attack. Bles warns the community, and they prepare with watch-fires and armed vigilance. The mob, panicked by its own fears, turns on itself and flees. The next day, the sheriff leads a posse that arrests Rob and Johnson, and both are lynched.
Themes in this chapter
Racial Oppression and Education
The school becomes a target of mob violence, illustrating the threat to Black education and community.
Womanhood and Protection
Zora's leadership and care for the community contrast with Mrs. Cresswell's attempts to control lives, and the women's roles in nurturing and defending.
The Quest for Identity and Dignity
The community's resistance and the lynching of Rob and Johnson underscore the struggle for dignity in the face of racial terror.
Characters to notice
- Zora Cresswell
Runs the school and hospital, calmly prepares for the mob attack, and shows leadership and self-sacrifice.
- Bles Alwyn
Warns the community, organizes the defense, and counsels hiding guns after the mob's flight.
- Mrs. Harry Cresswell
Seeks to atone for past mistakes by scheming to marry Emma to Bles, viewing Zora as a leader.
- Little Emma
Returns from nurse training, becomes a nurse at Zora's hospital, and cares for injured white children.
- John Taylor
Faces damage suits from mill accidents and sends injured children to Zora's infirmary.
- Sheriff Colton
Incites the mob and leads the posse that arrests and lynches Rob and Johnson.
Key passages
“Zora appeared to her in a new and glorified light—a vigorous, self-sacrificing woman.”
Mrs. Cresswell now saw Zora as a strong, devoted leader.
Reflects Mrs. Cresswell's changed perception of Zora.
“He threw back his head and clenched his hands. His soul groaned within him. 'Heavenly Father, was man ever before set to such a task?'”
Bles felt the immense burden of protecting his people without resorting to violence.
Highlights Bles's internal conflict and the impossible situation.
“Whirling, the mob fled till it struck the road in two confused, surging masses. Then in quick frenzy, shots flew; three men threw up their hands and tumbled limply in the dust.”
The mob, panicking, turned on itself and fired, causing casualties among its own members.
Shows the mob's cowardice and self-destruction.