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Part 2, Chapter 2
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in James, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Speech, Performance, and Willful Ignorance
Identity, Narrative, and Agency
Racism, Dehumanization, and Hypocrisy
Innocence vs. Disillusionment
Family, Alliance, and Loyalty
Summary
Analysis
Jim and Norman go to the general store for food. An enslaved Black woman at the store seems to signal that the biscuits are no good, so they purchase a potato. They split the potato after roasting it and discuss seeking out Henderson, the sawmill owner. After a brief rest, Norman discovers Jim writing with his pencil in Emmett’s notebook. Jim considers tearing out the musician’s songs, but knowing they would still exist makes such destruction feel pointless. Jim tells Norman to call him February when they meet Henderson so that there’s less risk he'll recognize him from the runaway posters. He gives Norman his notebook to look after until he escapes.
Even though she doesn’t speak to them, the Black woman at the general store provides what little assistance she can to Norman and Jim, seemingly motivated by a sense of racial loyalty. As Jim writes his own story, it becomes clear that he has succeeded in his quest for self-determination, as he has written his own legacy, which the reader is now perusing.
Themes
Norman and Jim find the sawmill. They see several slaves missing fingers working with saws and timber. The only white man, Henderson, approaches Norman, who endears himself to the man by mocking slaves. He tells the man Jim’s name is February and offers to sell him. Henderson asks Jim how he feels about Norman selling him, which is strange. Jim declares that he is Norman’s property, so he can do with him what he wants. Henderson and Norman haggle until Jim is sold for 350 dollars. Henderson calls a slave named Luke to give Jim some water and put him to work. Jim gives Norman one last look before being led away.
The way Norman ingratiates himself to Henderson demonstrates how mutual dislike can be the basis for alliance, particularly in systems of oppression. Henderson’s question to Jim feels like a trap designed to test how submissive Jim is. Though this is not the first time Jim has been sold in the course of the novel, this is the first time he has willingly given himself over to the danger of enslavement, thereby taking a more active role in determining his fate.
Themes
