# XXVII explained — There Is Confusion

> Chapter companion for There Is Confusion by Jessie Redmon Fauset.

## What happens

Joanna awakens resolved to abandon her dreams of dancing and Peter, planning to dedicate herself to teaching music at a colored school in the South. However, a visit from Miss Vera Sharples offers her a chance to dance at the District Line Theater in 'The Dance of the Nations.' At a rehearsal in Greenwich Village, Joanna impresses the Board with her performance, incorporating real colored children, and is offered the role.

## Themes in this chapter

### Racial Prejudice and Identity

Joanna's plans are frustrated by color prejudice, and Essie's daughter faces discouragement from white teachers. The theater's need for a 'colored' dancer underscores racial barriers.

### Art and Self-Expression

Joanna's audition and the Board's serious discussion of dance emphasize art as a means of expression and overcoming prejudice.

### Ambition and Success

Joanna initially abandons her ambition, but the unexpected offer rekindles her drive to succeed as a dancer.

## Character check-ins

### Joanna Marshall

Resolves to give up dancing and Peter, but accepts an unexpected opportunity to dance at the District Line Theater.

### Sylvia Marshall

Briefly appears, informing Joanna of Miss Sharples' visit.

### Vera Sharples

Offers Joanna a role in 'The Dance of the Nations' at the District Line Theater.

### Essie

Brings Joanna breakfast and shares her worries about her daughter Myrtle facing discouragement at school.

### Francis

Pale young pianist who plays for Joanna's audition and helps gather colored children for the rehearsal.

### Mr. Hale

Tall, dark man on the Board who praises Joanna's performance and confirms she will be tried for the role.

## Key lines

> Her romance would hereafter lie behind her. From this day on she would dedicate herself to one interest, which should be the fixed purpose of her life; now that she thought of it she would give up the idea of dancing, too.

Joanna decides to put her romantic past behind her and focus on a single life purpose, even abandoning her dream of dancing.

_Joanna's resolve to move on from Peter and her stage ambitions._

> You know, art to my eye is art, and there's no sense in letting a foolish prejudice interfere with it.

Miss Sharples believes that art should not be hindered by prejudice.

_Miss Sharples' progressive view on racial barriers in art._

> I suppose you'll need them.

Mr. Hale acknowledges that Joanna will need the children for her performance.

_Mr. Hale's practical support for Joanna's artistic vision._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/there_is_confusion_se/chapters/xxvii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/there_is_confusion_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/there_is_confusion_se/chapters