Robert believes that, if he doesn’t build a successful private practice in Los Angeles, then he might as well have just stayed in Monroe, where he was guaranteed a prominent role in the community, like his brother Madison. Meanwhile, Dr. Clement’s election to the Board of Education arguably makes him the most influential Black man in Georgia. Robert is acutely aware that he and Dr. Clement have chosen opposite paths in life. Beyond the simple contrast between Robert’s decision to leave the South and Dr. Clement’s decision to stay, Robert is also pursuing success on his own highly individualistic terms, while Clement has succeeded by courting power and leaning into existing institutions.