# The Mob explained — The Quest of the Silver Fleece

> Chapter companion for The Quest of the Silver Fleece by W. E. B. Du Bois.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_quest_of_the_silver_fleece_se/chapters/xxxvii-the-mob
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_quest_of_the_silver_fleece_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_quest_of_the_silver_fleece_se/chapters