# VI explained — The Walls of Jericho

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

## What happens

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.

## Themes in this chapter

### Identity and Self-Deception

Miss Cramp's perception of Linda is based on stereotypes and her own limited worldview, while Linda's true identity remains hidden behind her maid's role. Miss Cramp's self-deception about her 'service' to mankind is exposed.

### Power and Control

Miss Cramp's position as employer gives her power over Linda, and she attempts to exert control by 'helping' the G.I.A., assuming she knows what is best for the Negro community.

### Secrets and Revelation

Linda's subtle mockery and the revelation of her true thoughts (e.g., her church, her wit) contrast with Miss Cramp's obliviousness, creating a dynamic of hidden knowledge and selective disclosure.

## Character check-ins

### Miss Agatha Cramp

A wealthy, idle woman who devotes her life to social service but has never considered Negroes as part of mankind until noticing Linda's appearance. She decides to help the G.I.A. after learning about it from Linda.

### Linda Young

Miss Cramp's maid, who becomes the object of her mistress's newfound interest. Linda subtly mocks Miss Cramp's ignorance and plays along with her misconceptions, revealing her wit and intelligence.

## Key lines

> For fifteen years Miss Cramp had been devoting her life to the service of mankind. Not until now had the startling possibility occurred to her that Negroes might be mankind, too.

Miss Cramp had spent years helping humanity, but it never crossed her mind that Black people could be part of that humanity until this moment.

_Highlights Miss Cramp's racial blind spot and the irony of her 'service'._

> “Well, nobody gets lynched here.”

Linda points out that in New York, there is no lynching, so the G.I.A.'s focus on Southern lynchings makes sense.

_Linda's deadpan response exposes the absurdity of Miss Cramp's suggestion to focus on local issues._

> “Why, I’m an Episcopalian.” The tone indicated clearly that there must be some mistake.

Miss Cramp is shocked that Linda is also Episcopalian, implying she didn't think Black people could share her religion.

_Shows Miss Cramp's surprise at Linda's religious affiliation, revealing her assumptions about race and class._

## Links

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