Chapter 9 Summary, Themes, and Study Notes
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Summary
After lunch, Jezebel asks her teacher, Miss Watson, for permission to see the school nurse. She is not physically ill but is overwhelmed by the teasing she has endured, especially from Lettie and her friends. Miss Corrie, the nurse, recognizes Jezebel and listens kindly. She reminds Jezebel that no school year is perfect and that people who seem perfect on the outside may be struggling inside. She gives Jezebel a note and encourages her to give the year a chance.
When Jezebel returns home, she breaks down crying in the kitchen. She tells her mother, Mama, that she doesn't want to go to school anymore. Mama firmly insists that Jezebel must attend school to secure a better future, pointing out the difficulties Black people face in finding work and the importance of independence. Jezebel, feeling misunderstood, runs out of the house and into the cornfield.
In the cornfield, Jezebel discovers an old joggling board—a wooden plank balanced on two posts—that she and her brother Jay used to play on as children. She remembers that her father built it for them when they were about six years old, just before he disappeared. She recalls how, after her father left, Mama sold the pigs, cleared the land, and planted corn, and how Doc and Gran came to stay with them. Jezebel reflects on how Mama changed after her father's departure, becoming more easily upset and less likely to laugh.
Doc finds Jezebel in the cornfield. He sits with her and, without pressuring her to talk, begins weaving corn husks. Eventually, Jezebel tells him about the teasing at school, including Lettie's mockery of rootwork and the cruel name she called her. Doc explains that he and Mama were also teased as children for speaking Gullah, and that some Black people try to forget their history to feel safer in a society that discriminates against them. He tells Jezebel that people will find ways to make her feel bad if she lets them, and he advises her to learn her history, be proud of it, and become the best person she can be.
Jezebel picks four ears of corn and returns home. She tells Mama about the teasing, including the hurtful word Lettie used. Mama explains the meaning of the word, saying it simply means her parents weren't married when she was born, and that it doesn't make her better or worse than anyone else. Mama offers Jezebel an envelope containing proof that the word doesn't apply to her, but she leaves the choice to Jezebel. After thinking it over, Jezebel decides not to open the envelope, realizing that how she was born doesn't matter—only what she does now. She returns the envelope to Mama, who hugs her proudly. They share a dinner of Frogmore stew, and Jezebel tells Mama about the poems Miss Watson read in class. Mama says that anyone who creates something with their mind and hands is an artist, which makes Jezebel think about becoming both a rootworker and an artist.
Key Events
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Jezebel visits the school nurse, Miss Corrie, who comforts her and advises her to give the school year a chance.
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Jezebel tells Mama she doesn't want to go to school; Mama insists she must for a better future.
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Jezebel runs to the cornfield and finds the joggling board her father built before he disappeared.
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She remembers how Mama sold the pigs, cleared the land, and planted corn after her father left, and how Doc and Gran came to stay.
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Doc finds Jezebel and explains the history of Gullah and the pressure to assimilate.
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Jezebel tells Doc about Lettie's teasing and the cruel name she called her.
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Jezebel picks corn and returns home, where she tells Mama about the teasing.
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Mama explains the meaning of the word and offers an envelope with proof, but Jezebel chooses not to open it.
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Mama hugs Jezebel, and they share dinner together.
Character Development
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Jezebel: This chapter marks a turning point in Jezebel's self-acceptance. She moves from feeling ashamed and wanting to disappear to deciding that her birth status doesn't define her. She also gains a deeper understanding of her family's history and her own heritage, which strengthens her resolve to pursue both rootwork and education.
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Mama: Mama shows both firmness and vulnerability. She insists on education as a path to independence, but she also explains the hurtful word with patience and offers Jezebel the choice to see proof. Her hug and words of pride show her love and respect for Jezebel's decision.
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Doc: Doc serves as a mentor and cultural guide. He shares his own experiences of being teased for speaking Gullah and explains the broader context of assimilation and internalized racism. His wisdom helps Jezebel understand Lettie's behavior and her own worth.
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Jay: Though mostly in the background, Jay shows support for his sister. He gives her a thumbs-up when she decides not to open the envelope, indicating his understanding and encouragement.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
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Bullying and Self-Worth: The chapter explores how teasing can erode a person's sense of identity. Jezebel's reaction to Lettie's words shows the pain of being targeted, while Doc's advice and Mama's explanation help her reclaim her self-worth.
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Heritage and Identity: The joggling board and the Gullah language serve as symbols of Jezebel's family history. Doc's explanation about Gullah and assimilation highlights the tension between preserving cultural heritage and fitting into a society that devalues it.
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Education as a Path to Independence: Mama's insistence that Jezebel attend school reflects the belief that education is essential for a better future, especially for Black children in the Jim Crow South.
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Family Bonds: The chapter emphasizes the strength of family support. Mama, Doc, and Jay all help Jezebel navigate her feelings, and the shared dinner reinforces the importance of family unity.
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Assimilation and Internalized Racism: Doc's discussion of people who want to forget their history to feel safer speaks to the theme of internalized racism and the pressure to conform to white expectations.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is pivotal in Jezebel's emotional and cultural development. It directly addresses the bullying she faces at school and provides her with the tools to understand it—both through Doc's lessons about heritage and Mama's explanation of the hurtful word. Jezebel's decision not to open the envelope is a powerful moment of self-acceptance, showing that she is beginning to define her worth on her own terms. The chapter also deepens the reader's understanding of the family's history, including the father's disappearance and the sacrifices Mama made. By the end, Jezebel is more connected to her roots and more determined to pursue her goals, setting the stage for her continued growth in the novel.
Study Questions and Answers
- Why does Jezebel decide not to open the envelope Mama offers her?
Jezebel realizes that how she was born doesn't matter; what matters is what she does now. She understands that the word Lettie used doesn't define her, and she doesn't need proof to know her own worth.
- How does Doc's explanation about Gullah and assimilation help Jezebel understand Lettie's behavior?
Doc explains that some Black people try to forget their history to feel safer in a society that discriminates against them. This helps Jezebel see that Lettie's teasing may stem from insecurity or a desire to fit in, rather than from any real superiority.
- What does the joggling board symbolize for Jezebel?
The joggling board represents the happy memories of her father and the innocence of childhood before his disappearance. It also symbolizes the loss and change that followed, as the field where it stood was transformed into a cornfield, mirroring the family's altered circumstances.