James Randall Character Analysis in The Underground Railroad

James is Terrance’s brother and one of Old Randall’s two sons. He controls the half of the plantation on which Cora lives, and he is a distant, uninvolved master. There are rumors that he has a preference for sexual masochism and pays prostitutes to whip him in New Orleans. He dies of kidney failure while Cora is still living on Randall.

James Randall Character Timeline in The Underground Railroad

The timeline below shows where the character James Randall appears in The Underground Railroad. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...“beloved” of the Randall family, and thus there is no point in Cora confronting her. James Randall, who runs Cora’s half of the plantation, is rather reserved, but his younger brother,... (full context)

...crowd drifts off to eat, Caesar lingers and asks if he can talk to Cora. James Randall bought Caesar a year and a half ago; Cora has seen him carving wood... (full context)

...and into the crowd. The slaves step back and Jockey greets the brothers as “Master James” and “Master Terrance.” Terrance says he doesn’t want to disturb them, but that they heard... (full context)

Terrance says he remembers James telling him about an enslaved boy on James’ half of the plantation who could recite... (full context)

...Cora to hide during Terrance’s visit the next day, or appear and be visibly sick. James has fallen ill and there are rumors that Terrance will take over James’ half of... (full context)

...the fields, but he sees her and tips his cane at her. Two days later, James dies. Unlike Old Randall’s funeral, which was overflowing with friends of the much-admired slave owner,... (full context)