You Can’t Win · Chapter
XIV explained
Jack Black reflects on his encounter with Rebel George, a reformed bunko man, and his own inability to pursue honest work due to his immersion in the underworld.
What happens
Jack Black reflects on his encounter with Rebel George, a reformed bunko man, and his own inability to pursue honest work due to his immersion in the underworld. He travels to Seattle, where he teams up with St. Louis Frank for a gambling house heist. After the robbery, they are arrested and brutally beaten by jailer John Corbett. Frank becomes embittered and later is executed for murder, while Black escapes to San Francisco.
Themes in this chapter
Criminal Identity and Rehabilitation
Rebel George's successful reformation contrasts with Black's continued immersion in crime and St. Louis Frank's descent into violence.
Survival and Adaptability
Black adapts to the underworld, passing up honest opportunities, while Frank's spirit is broken by brutality.
Addiction and Self-Destruction
Thieves' compulsion to flaunt money after a score leads to their capture, and Frank's beating drives him toward self-destructive violence.
Characters to notice
- Rebel George
A reformed bunko man who befriends Black, returns his money, and later starts a legitimate business at age sixty.
- St. Louis Frank
Black's partner in the Seattle gambling house heist; after being beaten by Corbett, he becomes violent and is later hanged for murder.
- John Corbett
Brutal Seattle jailer who beats Black and Frank after their arrest; later removed due to women's clubs' demands.
- Clancey
Owner of a Seattle gambling house who exploits thieves, having them arrested to collect bail money, and dies broke.
- James Hamilton Lewis
Fighting young lawyer who secures Black and Frank's release from jail.
- George
George Dixon, the little colored champion fighter, whose money Black steals in a hotel burglary in San Francisco.
Key passages
“George smiled and took a better grip on my hand. “Yes, I remember you, young fellow. You’ve grown some. Have you gathered any wisdom?” “I’ve gathered enough to know that you are entitled to any part of this,” I said, producing my small bankroll. “This is payable tomorrow night,” he said, taking twenty dollars. The money was returned promptly and a bond of friendship and confidence was formed that remains unbroken.”
Rebel George recognized Black, took only a token twenty dollars from his bankroll, and promptly returned it, establishing a lasting bond of trust.
Highlights the theme of loyalty and the rare positive relationship in Black's criminal world.
“I had now become so saturated with the underworld atmosphere that no thought of any kind of honest endeavor entered my mind.”
Black was so deeply immersed in the criminal world that he never considered legitimate work.
Illustrates the theme of alienation from society and the difficulty of rehabilitation.
“Like a flash one of his hands went to my throat. He pinned me to the wall, choking me, and brought something down on my head with the other hand that turned everything yellow and made my knees weaken.”
Corbett choked Black against the wall and struck him on the head, causing him to see yellow and feel faint.
Depicts the brutal violence of the jailer and the trauma inflicted on prisoners.
“From that day on St. Louis Frank smiled no more. He became snarly, short spoken, and ugly.”
After the beating, Frank's demeanor changed permanently; he became irritable and hostile.
Shows the psychological impact of Corbett's cruelty, leading to Frank's later violence.
