Chapter 32

Chapter 32 opens with the protagonist enduring the physical toll of his journey, as his feet ache from the blisters caused by the ill-fitting boots he’s been given. The discomfort becomes overwhelming, prompting him to remove the boots and walk barefoot on the damp ground, which offers a small sense of relief. As he walks, his mind drifts to Huck, wondering about his current state, and feeling a deep sense of longing and worry that Huck may still be trapped and unable to escape. The protagonist’s concern for his friend underscores the emotional burden he carries—both for Huck and for the broader situation they find themselves in as runaways, facing the unrelenting challenges of their new reality.

Upon arriving at a small logging camp, the protagonist is immediately struck by the division between the races. The camp is a place where Black men work tirelessly under the watchful eyes of white overseers, who wield bullwhips to maintain control and assert their authority. The sight of the enslaved men laboring so diligently in such a hostile environment forces the protagonist to reflect on his own future, and his thoughts become consumed with wondering whether there will be a chance for him to escape this cycle of oppression. At the same time, he considers the possibility of writing his own story and leaving behind a narrative that might one day be discovered. The weight of such a decision bears down on him, as he must navigate a complex mix of fear, anger, and hope.

As the evening sets in, Big Mike, with his usual rough humor, jokes about the town they are in, suggesting that it could be aptly named “Hell” due to the harsh conditions surrounding them. This comment shifts the mood briefly, as the group begins to talk about their longing for escape and the dreams they have of reaching bigger cities like St. Louis or New Orleans. These cities represent places of excitement and opportunity, where life might offer a reprieve from the oppression they have known. Yet the protagonist feels disconnected from these aspirations. He has never traveled to any of these places, and the prospect of freedom seems distant, almost out of reach, as the reality of their situation weighs heavily on him.

The group’s conversation eventually turns to Emmett, and their reflections on his character reveal the complexities surrounding his views on slavery. While Emmett expresses opposition to slavery, Big Mike’s pragmatic viewpoint suggests that for some, including their own group, survival depends on participating in the system in some capacity. The protagonist listens, understanding that even though they may oppose the system, they are all, to some extent, complicit in the socio-economic structure that sustains it. This realization strikes at the heart of the protagonist’s internal struggle—how can he truly be free when his survival is so deeply entangled with the system of slavery that he despises?

As night approaches, the tension in the camp rises, with Emmett warning the group about the potential dangers they might face, especially if their identities as performers are revealed. Despite the looming threat, the protagonist prepares for the evening’s performance. The act of cleaning himself up before the show becomes a symbolic gesture—a moment of reflection on his position as a slave, and the intense emotional burden he carries as he steps into the role of entertainer. The realization that he is still owned by someone, even though he performs as a form of “freedom,” causes a deep sense of discomfort to settle in.

In the midst of all this, the protagonist makes a life-altering decision: he will escape. The decision is filled with urgency as he gathers what little he can—a loaf of bread, his ill-fitting shoes, and Emmett’s leather notebook, which he considers a token of his resistance to the life that has been imposed upon him. With determination, he runs into the wilderness, no longer bound by the constraints of his past. Despite the pain in his body and the fear of being caught, he feels a fleeting sense of liberation. As he seeks refuge among the trees, he takes a moment to rest and eat, aware that this is the beginning of a new chapter in his journey, one marked by freedom, yet fraught with the dangers of living as a runaway. This critical turning point signals his break from the system that has oppressed him, and though the road ahead is uncertain, it offers the hope of self-determination.