# I explained — The Walls of Jericho

> Chapter companion for The Walls of Jericho by Rudolph Fisher.

## What happens

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.

## Themes in this chapter

### Isolation and Connection

The banter between Jinx and Bubber masks a deep affection, showing how societal norms force men to express connection through conflict and ridicule.

### Identity and Self-Deception

The characters' behavior is shaped by their social environment, hiding their true feelings behind a facade of enmity, and the discussion of 'dickties' versus 'rats' reveals class and identity tensions.

### Power and Control

The argument about the potential riot and the presence of guns reflects a struggle for power and control in a racially charged society.

## Character check-ins

### Jinx Jenkins

Thin, elongated, freckled, and querulous; argues with Bubber about the riot and is provoked into a near-fight over a family insult.

### Bubber Brown

Short, round, with a lisp; argues with Jinx about the riot and reacts violently to the insult about his family.

### Pat (Shine)

A tall, bronze-skinned, tranquil young man who interrupts the quarrel, defuses the tension, and reminds them of the Court Avenue job.

### Henry Patmore

Owner of the pool parlor; mentioned as a respected figure in the community, though not present in the scene.

### Fred Merrit

A Black lawyer whose planned move to Court Avenue is the subject of the argument about a potential riot.

## Key lines

> Despite the objections of the dickties, who prefer to ignore the existence of so-called rats, it is of interest to consider Henry Patmore’s Pool Parlor on Fifth Avenue in New York.

Even though the upper-class Black community tries to ignore the lower-class elements, it's worth looking at Henry Patmore's pool hall on Fifth Avenue.

_Introduces the setting and the social divide._

> Fays don’ see no difference ’tween dickty shines and any other kind o’ shines. One jig in danger is ev’y jig in danger.

White people don't distinguish between upper-class and lower-class Black people; if one Black person is in danger, they all are.

_Highlights the racial solidarity and the perceived threat from whites._

> Words and gestures which in a different order of life would have required no suppression became with them necessarily inverted, found issue only by assuming a precisely opposite aspect, concealed a profound attachment by exposing an extravagant enmity.

The men's expressions of friendship are twisted into constant arguing and hostility because their society doesn't allow open affection between men.

_Explains the psychological mechanism behind Jinx and Bubber's relationship._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_walls_of_jericho_se/chapters/i
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_walls_of_jericho_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_walls_of_jericho_se/chapters