Slavery Chronicles: Chapter Summaries

Chapter Summaries

Chapter One:
- 47 is a slave born in 1832; raised by Big Mama Flore after his mother died giving birth.
- Lives on the Corinthian Plantation and works in the barn under Master Tobias.
Chapter Two:
- 47 moves into the slave cabins and encounters Pritchard, who brands him.
- Champ, another slave, retaliates against Pritchard, hinting at children's resilience against slavery through belief in dreams.
Chapter Three:
- 47 begins picking cotton; suffers deep cuts leading to infection.
- Picks cotton alongside another slave, known as 84, and is allowed by Mud Albert to serve as a messenger boy.
Chapter Four:
- Master Tobias permits a burial ceremony for Ned; the eulogy shows Tobias' disrespect.
- Mr. Pike cautions Tobias about a potential runaway slave.
Chapter Five:
- During Ned's funeral, 47 flees and meets Tall John in the woods.
- Tall John introduces 47 to the beauty of Winslet Canyon but they are soon pursued by Tobias and bloodhounds.
Chapter Six:
- 47 desires friendship with Tall John, who is accepted as a slave by Tobias.
Chapter Seven:
- Back at the slave quarters, Tall John entertains the other men with his charm.
- Mud Albert questions if Tall John is High John the Conqueror, a trickster figure from African folklore, and learns he came to find 47.
Chapter Eight:
- 47 feels rejuvenated as his hands heal thanks to Tall John.
- Tall John flirts with 84, whom he affectionately names Tweenie, and demonstrates his strength by carrying cotton.
Chapter Nine:
- Tall John speaks with 84, inquiring about her children, leading to a shared moment of sorrow.
Chapter Ten:
- John encourages trust in 47 among the other slaves and informs them of 47’s strong blood type.
Chapter Eleven:
- Discussion of Fred Chocolate; Eloise falls ill.
- Tall John offers to heal Eloise, necessitating a search for herbs.
Chapter Twelve:
- John and 47 venture into the woods for herbs, appreciating 84's beauty.
- They enjoy swimming in a pond, marking it as one of 47's happiest moments.
Chapter Thirteen:
- 47 dreams of Tall John's origins; discovers John transforms into a taller, orange figure, revealing his name as N'Clect.
Chapter Fourteen:
- They successfully gather the herbs and return to the plantation.
- Tall John speaks to Tobias with a commanding presence; they heal Eloise, leading Tobias to wrongly credit divine intervention while punishing 47 and Tall John.
Chapter Fifteen:
- 47 and Tall John end up imprisoned in a tomb, enduring harsh conditions.
- 84 delivers food; Tall John transports them mentally to a magical place; they witness the shooting of Mud Albert and endure whipping.
Chapter Sixteen:
- 47 and 84 rescue Tall John from Mr. Stewart, blinding the assailant and leading to Stewart's death at 84’s hands.
- The trio escapes together into freedom.