James Part One, Chapters 26–29 Summary & Analysis

Summary: Part One, Chapters 26–29

Part One, Chapter 26

After the Duke and the King leave with Huck, Wiley instructs Jim to get to work and heads off to breakfast. Easter asks Jim about his relationship with Huck, wondering who taught him how to pass as white. Jim explains that Huck is white, emphasizing that he knew both of his parents, before redirecting the conversation to the task of horseshoe making. As Easter guides Jim through the steps, he finds the process of swinging the hammer to be simultaneously challenging and cathartic. He is horrified to learn, however, that a Black man was hanged for stealing a pencil from his master, knowing the man in question was likely Young George. Jim and Easter continue to talk about running away and their introduction into slavery. When Jim eventually reveals the pencil to Easter, Easter emphasizes the importance of his ability to write. Wiley returns to the livery at midmorning and demands that the men sing for him, a request which Jim initially finds odd but strangely eases his work. As Jim and Easter sing, a group of white men in matching suits appear in the doorway. The leader of the group introduces himself as Daniel Decatur Emmett of the Virginia Minstrels.

Part One, Chapter 27

Wiley demands an explanation from Emmett, and he responds by introducing the group of musicians and handing out tickets to their upcoming performance. Having recently lost their tenor singer, the group is in search of a replacement, and Jim’s voice caught their attention. Emmett asks Wiley how much he is willing to sell Jim for, and although Wiley technically has no proof of ownership, he is eager to make a deal. He does not understand why the group wants Jim to be on stage with them, leading Emmett to explain that they perform in blackface. Wiley ultimately agrees to sell Jim for two hundred dollars. Jim feels extremely helpless in this situation until Emmett extends his hand to him. Once they shake hands, the entire group leaves the livery behind.

Part One, Chapter 28

Jim goes with the Virginia Minstrels to their camp on the outskirts of town, and he is surprised when they kindly offer him coffee. Emmett explains to him that all they want him to do is sing, although Jim has a hard time believing that they do not intend to use or treat him like a slave. They begin rehearsing songs, and one of the members hands Jim a new set of clothes to put on. He struggles to tie his tie and does not receive a pair of shoes.

Part One, Chapter 29

A heavy-set man, Norman, instructs Jim to sit down so he can apply his blackface makeup. Jim begins asking questions in his slave dialect, but Norman quickly tells him to drop the act, revealing that he is a Black man passing as white. To Jim’s dismay, Norman also explains that a minstrel show serves to mock Black people through stereotypical portrayals for the amusement of white people, and he emphasizes its hypocrisies. Jim wonders if Emmett will pay him for singing, and Norman explains that they have never had a known Black man as a part of the group. Emmett returns to inspect Jim’s makeup, and after he leaves, Jim wonders why the makeup is necessary for him.

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