# Atonement explained — The Quest of the Silver Fleece

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

## What happens

Three months have passed, and it is spring again. Zora sits in the transformed swamp, dreaming. Colonel Cresswell, unwell and nearing death, makes his will, leaving a legacy to Mary Cresswell and a large sum to the school. He dies after a haunting encounter with Emma, whom he recognizes as his granddaughter. After his funeral, John Taylor visits the school to confer about Emma's legacy. Mary Cresswell, believing Bles and Emma are in love, encourages Zora to help them realize their feelings. Zora, struggling with her own love for Bles, initially agrees but later confronts Bles in the swamp, telling him to marry Emma. Bles reveals he loves Zora, and they finally confess their love for each other. The chapter ends with Zora finding purpose and the two embracing their future together.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Self-Sacrifice

Zora's willingness to sacrifice her own happiness for what she believes is Bles's and Emma's love, and her ultimate realization of her own worth.

### The Quest for Identity and Dignity

Zora's internal struggle with her past and her place in the world, culminating in her finding purpose and accepting Bles's love.

### Corruption of Philanthropy and Politics

The legacy from Colonel Cresswell, a man who profited from exploitation, is used to support the school, highlighting the complex and often tainted sources of philanthropic funding.

## Character check-ins

### Zora Cresswell

Dreams in the transformed swamp, struggles with her love for Bles, and ultimately finds resolution and purpose.

### Bles Alwyn

Cares for Emma, but reveals his true love for Zora, leading to their union.

### Colonel Cresswell

On his deathbed, he makes his will, leaves a legacy to the school, and dies after a haunting encounter with Emma.

### Mary Taylor

Receives a legacy from her father, plans to pay the school's mortgage, and encourages Zora to help Bles and Emma.

### Little Emma

Nurses Colonel Cresswell, is revealed to be his granddaughter, and receives a legacy.

### Miss Smith

Receives the official notification of the school's legacy and is moved to tears.

## Key lines

> I've made my will.

I have finalized my last will and testament.

_Colonel Cresswell announces his impending death and the distribution of his estate._

> I willed his children all the rest except two or three legacies. One was one hundred thousand dollars for you—

I left everything else to John Taylor's children, aside from a few specific bequests. One of those is a hundred thousand dollars for you.

_Colonel Cresswell reveals his financial provisions for his daughter, Mary._

> Then there's another gift of two hundred thousand dollars and this house and plantation. Whom do you think that's for?

There is also a gift of two hundred thousand dollars, along with this house and the plantation. Can you guess who it is for?

_Colonel Cresswell hints at a significant legacy, which is later revealed to be for the school._

> I know—I have sinned against the light and the blood of your poor black people is red on these old hands.

I acknowledge that I have committed terrible sins, and the suffering of Black people is my fault.

_Colonel Cresswell's deathbed confession of his past wrongdoings._

> Emma's was the pure soul which she must offer up to God; for it was God, a cold and mighty God, who had given it to Bles—her Bles.

She believed that Emma's pure soul was meant for Bles, and that she must sacrifice her own feelings to honor God's will.

_Zora's internal conflict as she contemplates sacrificing her love for Bles._

> Will you—marry me, Bles?

Will you marry me, Bles?

_Zora finally asks Bles to marry her, marking a turning point in their relationship._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_quest_of_the_silver_fleece_se/chapters/xxxviii-atonement
- 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