# XXVI explained — The Walls of Jericho

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

## What happens

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.

## Themes in this chapter

### Freedom and Entrapment

Linda's spontaneous decision to join Shine contrasts with Merrit's feeling of being trapped in his own life, highlighting the theme of freedom versus entrapment.

### Identity and Self-Deception

Merrit's internal monologue reveals his self-deception about race and his own role in events, as he rationalizes Patmore's actions and his own inaction.

## Character check-ins

### Pat

Shine is surprised by Linda's presence and agrees to let her accompany him on his trip.

### Linda Young

Linda waits for Shine at dawn and insists on going with him, showing her impulsive and determined nature.

### Fred Merrit

Merrit watches Shine and Linda leave, feeling a sense of loss and reflecting on his own circumstances.

## Key lines

> It seemed to Shine that the sky turned from gray to gold in the twinkling of an eye.

Shine felt as if the world brightened instantly upon seeing Linda.

_Highlights the emotional impact of Linda's presence on Shine._

> He had preposterous feelings, far too absurd to admit: an impulse to run after the departing Bess, crying, 'Wait—for God's sake—' as if she were carrying off some chance of his own; a terrifying sense of some slow crushing futility, allowing them to escape, but holding him captive, surrounding, insulating, oppressing him, like the haze of this morning's mist, beyond which he could perceive but out of which he could not emerge; as if he moved and must always move in a dismal, broad, gray cloud, outside of which were clear blue skies that he could know of but never reach.

Merrit felt a strong urge to stop them, but also a deep sense of being trapped in his own life, unable to break free from his circumstances.

_Illustrates Merrit's internal conflict and sense of entrapment._

## Links

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