# The Hamiltons explained — The Sport of the Gods

> Chapter companion for The Sport of the Gods by Paul Laurence Dunbar.

## What happens

This chapter introduces the Hamilton family, focusing on Berry and Fannie Hamilton, their home, and their children Joe and Kitty. Berry, a former slave, has worked as butler for Maurice Oakley for twenty years, and the family lives in a comfortable cottage on the Oakley estate. The chapter describes their peaceful, industrious life, their pride in their children, and the preparations for a farewell dinner for Francis Oakley, which involves the whole household.

## Themes in this chapter

### Class and Social Hierarchy

The Hamiltons occupy a middle ground between the white aristocracy (the Oakleys) and poorer African Americans, with Berry's role as butler and the family's comfortable cottage reflecting their status.

### Family Disintegration

The chapter introduces the close-knit Hamilton family, setting up a contrast with the disintegration that later occurs.

## Character check-ins

### Berry Hamilton

Butler for Maurice Oakley for twenty years; a former slave who remained in the South; lives with his wife Fannie and children Joe and Kit in a cottage on the Oakley estate; proud and dignified, especially when preparing for the farewell dinner.

### Fannie Hamilton

Berry's wife and housekeeper to the Oakleys; a loving mother who spoils Kitty; frets over the cook's shortcomings during dinner preparations.

### Joe Hamilton

Son of Berry and Fannie, age eighteen; works as a barber; shows signs of becoming a dandy; shaved the two men for the farewell dinner.

### Kitty Hamilton

Daughter of Berry and Fannie, age sixteen; pretty and cheerful, with a singing voice; helps Mrs. Oakley's maid; doted on by her parents and Mrs. Oakley.

### Maurice Oakley

Berry's employer; owner of the great house; preparing a farewell dinner for his brother Francis.

### Francis Oakley

Brother of Maurice Oakley; the farewell dinner is being held in his honor.

## Key lines

> The little cottage in which he lived with his wife, Fannie, who was housekeeper to the Oakleys, and his son and daughter, Joe and Kit, sat back in the yard some hundred paces from the mansion of his employer.

Berry Hamilton's cottage is located about a hundred yards behind the Oakley mansion, where his wife Fannie works as housekeeper.

_Describes the physical and social proximity of the Hamilton family to the Oakleys._

> Through thick and thin he remained with him, and when the final upward tendency of his employer began his fortunes had increased in like manner.

Berry stayed loyal to Maurice Oakley through good times and bad, and as Oakley's wealth grew, so did Berry's.

_Highlights Berry's loyalty and the parallel rise in fortunes._

> What the less fortunate negroes of the community said of them and their offspring is really not worthwhile. Envy has a sharp tongue, and when has not the aristocrat been the target for the plebeian’s sneers?

The Hamiltons are criticized by poorer African Americans out of envy, much like aristocrats are sneered at by commoners.

_Illustrates class tensions within the African American community._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_sport_of_the_gods_se/chapters/i-the-hamiltons
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_sport_of_the_gods_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_sport_of_the_gods_se/chapters