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Part 1, Chapter 24
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 wakes to see the Duke standing over him, furious that he is no longer chained up. He calls Easter over, but Huck claims to have slipped the shackles off Jim. Nevertheless, the Duke clearly means to beat Easter, and Jim, too, when he tries to interfere. He takes a whip and hits Easter across the chest and arm. Easter’s owner, Mr. Wiley, appears, enraged that the Duke dared to harm his slave. Seeing Easter’s injury, Mr. Wiley demands Jim work for him until his own slave recovers. The Duke agrees, and he and the King take Huck as collateral in case Jim tries to run away.
Compared to his benign and humorous introduction, the Duke is now clearly enjoying being violent toward those he has dehumanized. When Mr. Wiley—an actual enslaver—arrives, the Duke shrinks back into himself, suggesting this display of power is just another performance. He submits to Wiley’s demands out of fear of being found out as a fraud once again.
Themes
