The Walls of Jericho · Chapters
Chapters explained
Chapter companions for The Walls of Jericho by Rudolph Fisher.
Chapter 1
Epigraph
The epigraph quotes the spiritual 'Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho,' setting a tone of struggle and triumph that resonates with the novel's themes of overcoming obstacles.
Chapter 2
Dedication
The book is dedicated to Glendora, with a wish that her laugh be silver, like her hair.
Chapter 3
The Walls of Jericho
This chapter introduces the world of Patmore's Pool Parlor and its colorful inhabitants, centered on the character of Shine. It establishes the social dynamics, the setting, and the initial relationships among the key figures, including Bubber Brown, Jinx Jenkins, and the proprietor Henry Patmore. The narrative sets the stage for the story's conflicts and alliances, painting a vivid picture of the community and its struggles.
Chapter 4
Jericho
The chapter 'Jericho' likely follows the protagonist, Pat (Shine), as he navigates his life in the town of Jericho, possibly dealing with themes of isolation, memory, and survival. The chapter may include interactions with key characters like Linda, Fred Merrit, and others, and could involve significant events such as the planning of a move, a date, or a revelation.
Chapter 5
I
The chapter opens with a description of Henry Patmore's Pool Parlor on Fifth Avenue in Harlem, contrasting the aristocratic Fifth Avenue with the impoverished and vibrant Black neighborhood. Inside, Jinx Jenkins and Bubber Brown argue about a potential riot over a Black lawyer, Merrit, moving into a white neighborhood. Their banter escalates into a near-fight over an insult to Bubber's family, but is interrupted by a newcomer, Shine, who defuses the tension and reminds them of their work assignment the next day.
Chapter 6
II
In this chapter, the reader is introduced to Patmore, the proprietor of a pool parlor, and his interaction with Shine and Bubber. Shine's defiance and independence are highlighted as he brings his own liquor, challenging Patmore's authority. The chapter then delves into Shine's past, revealing his childhood in an orphanage where he stood up to the superintendent, and his early adulthood as a shoe-shiner, where he earned the nickname 'Shine'. The narrative also depicts Shine's current work as a piano mover, showcasing his physical strength and the dangers of his job.
Chapter 7
III
Shine, a mover, is approached by Patmore, who holds a grudge against Fred Merrit for a past legal settlement. Patmore tries to recruit Shine as a secret agent to sell his liquor to Merrit, but Shine declines, revealing he already has his own bootlegging operation. Later, Shine discusses the upcoming move to Court Avenue with his friends Jinx and Bubber, warning them of potential danger and the need for vigilance. Patmore returns with another scheme, but Shine remains wary.
Chapter 8
IV
In this chapter, the Litter Rats, a group of elite Black men, gather at J. Pennington Potter's home to discuss art and science, but the conversation shifts when Fred Merrit announces his purchase of a house on Court Avenue, a white neighborhood. Merrit's intention to live there, despite expected resistance, sparks a debate about racial progress, violence, and personal motives. The discussion reveals the group's varied perspectives on race relations, with Merrit expressing his deep-seated hatred of whites and his desire to provoke them, while others like Tod Bruce reflect on the history of racial conflict in Harlem. Merrit also reveals his personal motivations, including his devotion to his deceased mother and his plan to use his housekeeper to shock the neighbors.
Chapter 9
V
Shine, Jinx, and Bubber move Fred Merrit's belongings into a house on Court Avenue, a cold, snobbish street threatened by the encroaching Black neighborhood. Merrit shows Shine an anonymous threatening letter, but Shine is dismissive. The crew is suspicious of Merrit's unusual friendliness. As they finish, a beautiful Black woman walks by and enters a house two doors down, captivating the crew. Shine defends her dignity against Bubber's crude remarks.
Chapter 10
Uplift
This chapter focuses on the theme of uplift and the various ways characters seek to improve themselves and their circumstances. It explores the social dynamics and personal aspirations within the community, highlighting the tension between individual advancement and collective progress.
Chapter 11
VI
Miss Agatha Cramp, a wealthy woman devoted to social service, discovers her colored maid Linda is pretty and different from her stereotypical view of Negroes. This sparks her interest in helping the 'colored' community, leading her to consider supporting the G.I.A. (General Improvement Association) after Linda mentions it. The chapter satirizes Miss Cramp's patronizing and ignorant attitudes as she attempts to engage with Linda about race, religion, and social conditions.
Chapter 12
VII
The chapter describes the General Improvement Association's Annual Costume Ball at Manhattan Casino, a rare occasion where Harlem's diverse social classes—from the 'rattiest rat' to the 'dicktiest dickty'—come together in celebration. The ball is a public affair supporting Negro advancement, breaking down social barriers. However, the physical layout of the venue mirrors the social hierarchy: darker-skinned attendees occupy the lower terraces, while fairer-skinned dickties and fays watch from the upper boxes. The dance floor momentarily unites everyone, but when the music stops, people return to their respective levels, illustrating the persistent color and class divisions within the community.
Chapter 13
VIII
At a terrace party, Jinx and Bubber argue about intoxicants while Linda, dressed as a gypsy, enjoys herself. Henry Patmore, a known ladies' man, sets his sights on Linda, while Shine watches from the shadows. Patmore approaches Linda, uses his position as a costume contest judge to engage her, and quickly gets her name and address. Shine, who had been admiring Linda, is disgusted when she falls for Patmore's advances, feeling she is too easily won.
Chapter 14
IX
At a dance, Shine confronts Linda after she insults him with Patmore's words, calling him a 'dirty rat.' Despite his attempts to apologize and win her over, she rebuffs him, leading to a tense standoff. Shine's friends notice his unusual fixation on Linda, and he struggles with his feelings of anger and attraction.
Chapter 15
The Box of J. Pennington Potter
At the Manhattan Casino, J. Pennington Potter hosts a racially mixed social gathering in his box, aiming to foster harmony through admixture. The guests include the Dunns, who view Harlem as 'marvelous' material, the jealous Hon. Buckram Byle and his wife Nora, and Fred Merrit and Miss Agatha Cramp. Merrit, incognito, engages in a sardonic conversation with Miss Cramp, who reveals her patronizing and ignorant views on race, evolution, and environment. The chapter exposes the hypocrisy, condescension, and complex motives of the white visitors, while also highlighting the underlying tensions and Merrit's personal struggles with his own identity and heritage.
Chapter 16
Chapter XI
At a social event, Cornelia Bond and her guests observe and comment on J. Pennington Potter's party, including Miss Agatha Cramp and Fred Merrit. Miss Cramp and Merrit engage in a provocative conversation about race, power, and the future, during which they discover they are neighbors. Merrit recognizes Linda as Miss Cramp's maid and leaves with a sense of private amusement.
Chapter 17
XII
At a dance, a commotion erupts when a man in gray harasses Linda, who is in a gypsy costume. Shine intervenes, and the crowd watches as Patmore retreats. Meanwhile, Miss Cramp attempts a conversation with Nora Byle, which devolves into a series of racial misunderstandings and revelations, including the shocking discovery that Fred Merrit is a Negro.
Chapter 18
Jive
The chapter titled 'Jive' does not contain any provided excerpts, making it impossible to generate a contextual summary based on the given text.
Chapter 19
XIII
In this chapter, the scene is set in Pat's pool room where Jinx and Bubber engage in their usual banter and competitive pool playing. The conversation reveals that Shine has been absent since the dance at the Casino, and they speculate that he is now involved with a 'dickty' (stylish) girl. Jinx reports seeing Shine entering the side door of an Episcopal church, which they find surprising and discuss with skepticism. The chapter highlights the dynamics between the characters and the changes in Shine's behavior.
Chapter 20
XIV
Shine and Linda take a walk along Riverside Drive, discussing the incident at the Manhattan Casino where Patmore made unwanted advances. Linda reveals that Patmore offered her twenty-five dollars, a degrading proposition. Their conversation deepens their connection, with Shine expressing his protective feelings and Linda beginning to trust him.
Chapter 21
XV
Linda runs out of sugar and borrows from Mrs. Fuller, Fred Merrit's housekeeper, leading to a conversation where Mrs. Fuller offers Linda a job as her maid. Linda overhears Miss Cramp's racist discussion about Merrit moving in, and Mrs. Fuller encourages Linda to leave Miss Cramp's employment. Linda considers the offer, hoping to attend night school to learn typing.
Chapter 22
XVI
Shine attends a church service where he hears a sermon about the biblical story of Joshua and the walls of Jericho. The sermon, delivered by Tod Bruce, uses the story as an allegory for self-deception and the need for self-revelation. Shine is initially skeptical but is deeply affected by the message, which resonates with his own internal struggles. He later recounts the sermon to Jinx and Bubber in his own irreverent style, but the experience leaves a lasting impression on him.
Chapter 23
XVII
On a bright Sunday, Shine and Linda walk along Seventh Avenue after church, discussing the sermon and their differing views on religion and self-knowledge. Linda reveals she has a new job working for Fred Merrit, which Shine disapproves of due to Merrit's reputation. Their playful banter about turning the other cheek leads to a kiss and a slap, highlighting their complex dynamic.
Chapter 24
Walls
The chapter 'Walls' explores the physical and metaphorical barriers that separate characters, emphasizing themes of isolation and the struggle for connection. It likely depicts moments where characters confront the walls around them—whether literal, like the walls of a room or a house, or figurative, like emotional walls built from past trauma. The narrative may highlight how these walls both protect and imprison, and how characters attempt to breach them through acts of trust, revelation, or defiance.
Chapter 25
XVIII
After Shine leaves Pat's, Jinx and Bubber's constant bickering escalates into a physical fight. Pat, the manager, locks them in the cellar to settle it. After a long wait, Jinx emerges staggering and collapses, followed by Bubber, who falls over him. Fearing the worst, the crowd is alarmed by Jinx's apparent death rattle, but Pat discovers they only found a bottle of whiskey in the cellar and Jinx simply has the hiccups.
Chapter 26
XIX
Shine is agitated by Linda's refusal to see him for two weeks, leading to reckless behavior in work, drinking, and gambling. While moving a piano from Fred Merrit's country house, his distraction causes a near-fatal accident when the piano falls, but Linda's warning saves him. Their brief encounter reveals mutual feelings, though both retreat.
Chapter 27
Chapter XX
Shine, recovering from a minor injury, visits Harlem Hospital and overhears an intern mention Linda Young as a patient. He learns she was attacked at work and is hospitalized with a sprained ankle and shock. Enraged, he storms off, determined to find the culprit.
Chapter 28
Battle
The chapter titled 'Battle' contains no provided textual content, making it impossible to summarize or extract specific narrative details.
Chapter 29
XXI
Shine arrives at Fred Merrit's burned-out Court Avenue house, consumed by a murderous rage. The destruction of the house fuels his hatred, but upon finding Merrit alone and weeping over his mother's burnt portrait, Shine is unexpectedly moved and cannot bring himself to attack. He leaves, ashamed and conflicted.
Chapter 30
Chapter XXII
Shine visits Linda in the hospital, where she confronts him about his tough exterior, revealing that his hardness is a wall built from fear. Their conversation leads to a moment of emotional connection, and Shine begins to understand his own self-deception.
Chapter 31
XXIII
In this chapter, Shine confronts Henry Patmore, who has been revealed as the arsonist behind Merrit's house fire and the one who attacked Linda. A violent fight erupts in Patmore's pool parlor, drawing in Bubber and Jinx. Shine nearly kills Patmore but is stopped by a thrown pool ball that shatters a mirror, snapping him out of his rage. Later, Shine reflects on his new outlook, feeling a sense of superiority and a new philosophy: 'The guy that's really hard is the guy that's hard enough to be soft.' He also realizes he forgot to ask Linda where she was going from the hospital.
Chapter 32
Jericho
The chapter 'Jericho' likely follows the protagonist, Pat (Shine), as he navigates his life in the town of Jericho, possibly dealing with themes of isolation, memory, and survival. The chapter may include interactions with key characters like Linda, Fred Merrit, and others, and could involve significant events such as the planning of a move, a date, or a revelation.
Chapter 33
Chapter XXIV
Shine tells Fred Merrit the truth about the arson, revealing that Henry Patmore, not Miss Cramp, was responsible. Merrit, initially shocked, admits he suspected Miss Cramp and expresses his racial prejudices. He then offers Shine a partnership in a moving business, proposing a fifty-fifty split with an option to buy, as a way to build economic independence for Black people. Shine is stunned by the offer.
Chapter 34
Chapter XXV
A week after the fire at Merrit's house, Miss Agatha Cramp remains in bed, still shaken by the ordeal. She discusses the event with her new Irish maid, Mary, revealing her prejudiced views on race and her misguided attempts to help the Irish cause, which she misunderstands.
Chapter 35
XXVI
Shine drives upstate with Bess to pick up a load, but is surprised to find Linda waiting for him at Merrit's driveway. She insists on accompanying him, and they leave together. Merrit watches them go, feeling a mix of envy and resignation, reflecting on his own entrapment and the events that led to this moment.
Chapter 36
An Introduction to Contemporary Harlemese
This chapter presents a glossary of Harlemese, the vibrant and inventive slang of Harlem's African American community during the Harlem Renaissance. It defines terms ranging from everyday expressions to those reflecting social dynamics, music, dance, and racial identity, offering a rich linguistic portrait of the era.
