James: A Novel
Part Two:Chapter 6
by Everett, PercivalThe chapter opens with James awakening to find Sammy and Norman eating hardtack, a simple meal that underscores their dire circumstances. The trio discusses their surroundings, noting the absence of dogs and voices but the presence of birds, which James interprets as a sign of potential danger. Despite James’s physical weakness, they decide to move on, aiming for the river as their next destination. Norman expresses skepticism about their plan, fearing the other side of the river might also be a slave state, but James pragmatically reminds him that as slaves, their options are severely limited.
As they journey through the moonlit night, the group navigates the terrain with a mix of urgency and caution. James reflects on the risks of their escape, pondering the unseen dangers like snakes and missteps that could have fatal consequences. The narrative highlights the relentless nature of their flight, where even their rapid movement doesn’t bring them the sense of progress they crave. The river, when they finally reach it, presents both a barrier and a potential path to freedom, though its vastness and the presence of a steamboat remind them of the challenges ahead.
Upon arriving at the Mississippi, Sammy’s awe at seeing the river for the first time reveals her previously confined life at the mill. The group debates how to cross the river, with James proposing they build a raft from driftwood. The practical difficulties of gathering materials in the muddy terrain become apparent, symbolizing the broader struggles of their escape. Meanwhile, Sammy’s candid question to Norman about his identity sparks a poignant moment, as Norman affirms his choice to remain true to his heritage despite the advantages of passing as white.
The chapter concludes with James and Sammy working together to collect wood for the raft, their laborious efforts underscoring the physical toll of their journey. Sammy’s revelation about her traumatic past at the mill adds depth to her character and motivations for escaping. James’s internal conflict about leaving others behind hints at his growing sense of responsibility. The chapter ends on a somber yet determined note, as the trio prepares to face the next perilous step in their quest for freedom.
FAQs
1. What does Sammy’s question to Norman about “staying colored” reveal about her perspective on racial identity and freedom?
Answer:
Sammy’s question highlights her pragmatic view of racial identity as a mutable characteristic that could be leveraged for survival. Having lived in extreme isolation at the mill, she demonstrates a childlike curiosity about why Norman would maintain a racial identity that subjects him to oppression when he could potentially pass as white. This reveals her developing understanding of freedom as not just physical liberation but also the complex personal and political choices surrounding identity. Norman’s response about honoring his mother, wife, and refusing to become “one of them” introduces Sammy to the concept of racial identity as a matter of dignity and resistance rather than mere survival tactics.2. How does the group’s plan to cross the Mississippi River reflect both the practical challenges and symbolic significance of their escape?
Answer:
The river crossing represents both a literal barrier and a metaphor for transition. Practically, the characters face immense challenges - the dangerous currents, their inability to swim, and the need to construct a raft from trapped driftwood in sucking mud. Symbolically, the Mississippi serves as the traditional dividing line between slavery and freedom in American consciousness, though as James notes, “supposedly.” Their determination to cross despite the risks (“If we stay on this side, they’ll find us”) shows their understanding that true escape requires moving beyond familiar territory into unknown dangers, mirroring the uncertain promise of freedom in antebellum America.3. Analyze the significance of Sammy’s revelation about her abuse and James’s response. What does this exchange reveal about their relationship?
Answer:
Sammy’s matter-of-fact confession about being raped “since I was little” and James’s understated response (“You’re still little”) demonstrates the tragic normalization of violence in their lives. This exchange reveals several layers: 1) James’s protective instinct in rescuing Sammy now carries deeper weight, 2) their bond forms through shared trauma rather than traditional familial ties, and 3) their communication reflects enslaved people’s constrained emotional expression - painful truths are stated plainly without sentimental processing. The dialogue’s abrupt cutoff mid-revelation (“Almost every night at first…”) mirrors how survival demands focusing on the present escape rather than fully confronting past horrors.4. Compare how the three characters each demonstrate different understandings of freedom through their dialogue and actions in this chapter.
Answer:
James shows a pragmatic view of freedom as constant movement (“We’re slaves. Where we are is where we are”), emphasizing geographical escape. Norman’s perspective is more ideological, rejecting racial passing to maintain integrity (“I don’t want to be one of them”). Sammy, having known only the mill, initially associates freedom with simple new experiences (“Look at all that water”), but her question about Norman’s racial choice shows her beginning to conceptualize freedom’s complexities. Their collective action - the dangerous river crossing attempt - blends these perspectives: practical escape (James), principled resistance (Norman), and discovery of life’s possibilities (Sammy).5. How does the author use natural imagery and descriptions of the landscape to reflect the characters’ psychological states during their escape?
Answer:
The landscape mirrors their precarious transition between confinement and freedom. The “moonlit, cloudless night” with “rings of shadow” creates a liminal visual space matching their uncertain journey. The river’s dual nature - roaring yet peaceful up close - parallels their mix of fear and determination. Most strikingly, the driftwood trapped in muck (“Too thick to navigate and too thin to plow”) becomes a physical manifestation of their in-between state: no longer enslaved but not yet free, struggling against systems (like the mud) designed to immobilize them. Their sinking movements while gathering wood visually represent how slavery’s legacy continues to impede their progress even during escape.
Quotes
1. “We’re slaves, Norman. Where we are is where we are.”
This poignant exchange captures the existential reality of slavery - the lack of agency over one’s location or destiny. James’ statement reflects how slavery erases geographical freedom, making every place equally oppressive for those in bondage.
2. “Free person, he can be where he wants to be. The only place we can ever be is in slavery.”
Sammy expands on James’ thought with this powerful articulation of how freedom is fundamentally about choice of place and movement. Her words contrast the existential experience of enslaved versus free people.
3. “Because of my mother. Because of my wife. Because I don’t want to be white. I don’t want to be one of them.”
Norman’s declaration about maintaining his Black identity despite being able to pass as white reveals deep themes of loyalty, resistance, and rejection of oppressor identity. It’s a profound statement about choosing one’s authentic self.
4. “With all that running, no place appeared like a new place. Perhaps that was the nature of escape.”
This lyrical observation about their flight captures the psychological reality of escape - how physical movement doesn’t immediately translate to psychological freedom. The passage beautifully conveys the disorientation of sudden liberty.
5. “He’s raped me since I was little… Almost every night at first.”
Sammy’s matter-of-fact revelation about her sexual abuse underscores the horrific violence inflicted on enslaved women and children. The abruptness of this confession makes it particularly jarring and impactful.