James: A Novel
Part Two:Chapter 3
by Everett, PercivalThe chapter opens with James and Norman, hungry and weary, approaching a general store where they encounter two white women—one towering and intimidating, the other elderly and indifferent. The larger woman sells them a potato for a penny, though her hostility is palpable. After purchasing the potato, James insists they cook it to avoid sickness, highlighting his practical knowledge. The interaction underscores the racial tensions and power dynamics of the setting, as well as the pair’s precarious situation as they navigate a hostile environment while trying to survive.
After sharing the cooked potato, James and Norman discuss their next steps, focusing on their plan to sell James to a sawmill owner named Henderson to earn money. James instructs Norman to use the alias “February” to avoid detection, as his real name, Jim, is likely being sought by authorities. Their conversation reveals their mutual dependence and the risks they face, including the possibility of James being shackled or unable to escape. The dialogue also touches on the dehumanizing stereotypes of Black people, as James reflects on the racist songs in his notebook and the need to confront such narratives.
The pair eventually arrive at Henderson’s sawmill, a grim and unsanitary operation where enslaved laborers work under harsh conditions. Henderson, the owner, strikes James as familiar, though he can’t place him. Norman, posing as James’s owner, negotiates with Henderson, playing into racist assumptions by inventing a nonsensical backstory for James’s alias. The exchange is tense, with Henderson’s dismissive attitude reflecting the broader exploitation and commodification of Black lives. The scene emphasizes the brutality of the system James and Norman are attempting to manipulate for their survival.
As the chapter concludes, the stakes of their plan become clearer. James’s familiarity with Henderson suggests potential danger, while Norman’s role as a faux slaveholder adds layers of tension and uncertainty. Their survival hinges on careful execution and luck, with the sawmill serving as both an opportunity and a potential trap. The chapter ends on a note of suspense, leaving readers questioning whether James will successfully navigate the sale and return to Norman, or if their plan will unravel in the face of the oppressive structures they are up against.
FAQs
1. What significant interaction occurs between Norman and the “giant white woman” at the general store, and what does this reveal about the social dynamics of the setting?
Answer:
The interaction shows Norman purchasing a potato from a towering white woman who exhibits clear racial and class superiority. Her brusque manner (“Don’t cost nothing to look, but I don’t like it”) and the power imbalance are evident when she demands payment before Norman even touches the food. The scene highlights the tense, transactional nature of interracial interactions in this society, where even a simple food purchase carries undercurrents of control and surveillance. The old churning woman’s deliberate avoidance of eye contact further emphasizes the oppressive social hierarchy.2. Why does James insist on cooking the potato rather than letting Norman eat it raw, and what does this reveal about their relationship?
Answer:
James demonstrates practical knowledge by warning that raw potatoes (as nightshades) could cause illness, prioritizing Norman’s well-being over immediate hunger relief. This moment showcases James’s role as both protector and educator in their relationship, despite Norman being the nominal “owner” in their ruse. Their collaborative fire-building and shared meal afterward—with James charitably splitting the small potato—reveal a bond of mutual care that transcends their constructed master-slave dynamic, foreshadowing their partnership’s deeper trust.3. Analyze the significance of James’s decision to rename himself “February” when planning to be sold to Henderson. What strategic purpose does this serve?
Answer:
The false name serves multiple purposes: it distances James from his runaway identity (“Jim”), plays into racist stereotypes by including an illogical birth month (claiming February as his name despite a June birthday), and makes him seem less intelligent to potential buyers—thereby reducing suspicion. This calculated performance of ignorance reflects James’s understanding of how to manipulate white perceptions of enslaved people for survival. The detail about names also critiques how slaveholders arbitrarily renamed people to assert dominance.4. How does the description of Henderson’s sawmill operation reflect broader themes of exploitation in the chapter?
Answer:
The sawmill is depicted as a squalid, dehumanizing space reeking of waste, where maimed laborers (men with “missing fingers”) process cypress wood—a metaphor for how slavery literally consumes bodies. Henderson’s single-minded focus on profit (“Money’s in cypress”) contrasts with the workers’ visible suffering, mirroring the chapter’s broader critique of economic systems built on exploitation. The mill’s small scale and open-sided structure also suggest how oppression operates in plain sight, normalized as mundane industry rather than exceptional cruelty.5. What tension arises from James’s recognition of Henderson’s face, and why is this moment significant for the narrative?
Answer:
James’s alarm at Henderson’s familiarity introduces suspense about whether Henderson might recognize him as a runaway, threatening their entire plan. This moment underscores the constant danger James faces—even with a new name, his past could resurface. Psychologically, it also forces James to confront the trauma of being commodified; Henderson represents not just a potential buyer but a specter from a system James is trying to escape. The unresolved tension propels the narrative forward while highlighting slavery’s pervasive reach.
Quotes
1. “A penny fer a tater. A penny fer a biscuit. Don’t cost nothing to look, but I don’t like it.”
This blunt statement from the towering white woman at the general store encapsulates the harsh economic realities and racial tensions of the setting. Her words reveal both the transactional nature of survival and the unspoken threat beneath surface interactions.
2. “Better to starve a little longer than to get sick. Or worse.”
James demonstrates his practical wisdom and protective instincts when advising Norman against eating the raw potato. This moment highlights the constant risk assessment required in their precarious journey and James’ role as the more experienced guide.
3. “Tell them I’m called February, but that I was born in June. They like thinking that we’re stupid like that.”
This strategic deception reveals James’ understanding of white stereotypes about Black intelligence. The quote showcases how he weaponizes racial prejudice as a survival tactic while planning his risky sale scheme with Norman.
4. “People use that there wood for docks and such all ‘long this river. Don’t rot. Don’t you know nothin’?”
Henderson’s condescending remark about cypress wood mirrors the broader theme of knowledge as power. The exchange establishes the sawmill owner’s character while subtly contrasting practical knowledge with racial assumptions about intelligence.
5. “See this strapping boy I got here? Well, this is my slave, February. But he weren’t born in February. He was born in June.”
Norman’s introduction of James using their agreed-upon ruse marks a critical turning point in their plan. The quote captures both the performative aspect of their deception and the dark humor inherent in manipulating racist expectations.