Washington Black

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2018

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Download PDF

Part 1, Chapters 4-6Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1: “Faith Plantation, Barbados, 1830”

Part 1, Chapter 4 Summary

Erasmus summons Wash and Big Kit to wait at the master’s table. Wash and Big Kit are frightened and confused that Erasmus has summoned field slaves to do work inside the house. Wash and Big Kit wait at the door, unsure of what to do, and meet Gaius the porter, an educated slave with a graceful and reserved bearing, whom Wash thinks of as “a kind of surrogate master, a man with the speech and breeding of a white man” (15). Gaius gives Wash and Big Kit a clean handkerchief to wipe their dirty feet with, and he leads them into the house.

Wash is in awe of the finery of the house, as well as the taxidermy and other strange possessions. Big Kit, usually a large, intimidating presence, seems smaller and more afraid. Gaius leads the two slaves into the kitchen where the cook Maria is at work on a feast. Wash and Big Kit proceed to serve the master, with Big Kit nervous and Wash afraid but curious.

Erasmus is having dinner with his younger brother Titch. The two men discuss scientific topics, including the prospect of a hot air balloon. The brothers bicker and offend one another, particularly about the topic of slavery, with Erasmus advocating a less merciful approach than Titch. Erasmus spills his wine, and Big Kit attempts to clean it up. Erasmus hits Big Kit in the face with a plate when she is too slow, breaking her nose.

Wash and Big Kit clean up the blood, and Erasmus and Titch retire. The two slaves assist with the dishes and help themselves to the scraps of dinner that are leftover. Although Wash acknowledges that he has “lived in blood for years, my entire life,” the violence and casual cruelty of the master’s house disturbs him (26). Descending back down from the house, Wash and Big Kit meet Gaius, who tells Wash that Titch has requested to see Wash in his rooms. This request distresses Big Kit, and she gives Wash a nail to help protect him against possible sexual abuse.

When Wash enters Titch’s cluttered rooms, Titch notices the nail right away, but does not punish Wash. Although Titch is patient and kind, Wash is scared and confused and does know “what ugliness must follow” (31). Titch shows him the moon through a telescope and tells Wash that he is to live with him as his manservant and assist in his scientific endeavors. Titch gently hands the nail back to Wash and bids him to sleep in the bed in the far room.

Part 1, Chapter 5 Summary

The next morning, Wash wakes up and realizes that he will not be returning to Big Kit. He washes himself and goes out to find Titch having breakfast, noticing a long scar across his face. Wash is afraid; he keenly understands that, as a white man, Titch possesses “the power of life and death” (38).

Titch explains that Erasmus inherited Faith Plantation from their uncle and is determined to run it profitably. Titch and Mr. Wilde, meanwhile, are more interested in scientific research. While explaining the experiments Titch is about to undertake, Titch draws a diagram of the hot air balloon for Wash. Wash is amazed by the drawing and needs to learn more, desperately wanting to “create a world” with his own hand (41).

Part 1, Chapter 6 Summary

Wash now spends his days with Titch, conducting scientific experiments, collecting flora and fauna, cooking, cleaning, and learning to read and write. While Titch generally ignores the fields, he notices a salve struck with a rusty implement, which troubles him. Titch fights with Erasmus about the treatment of slaves on the estate and emerges from his chambers “listing slightly, his eyes furious” (44).

In addition to learning to read and write, Wash also learns that he has a surprising affinity for drawing. Alone in his room at night, he practices drawings, but burns them when he has finished for fear of punishment. When Titch does discover the drawings, he is amazed by Wash’s natural talent and instructs him to take over illustration duties for their scientific endeavors.

Wash is less comfortable with his other studies, and he particularly dislikes the lessons where he learns to read, finding it difficult and embarrassing. Titch asks Wash about his relationship with Big Kit, and Wash is embarrassed that he has heard nothing from her since he left. He “felt abandoned by her, cut cold” and was “both wounded and desperately embarrassed” (47). Wash still holds out hope that Big Kit might rescue him, imagining her embarking on a murderous rampage to free him.

Part 1, Chapters 4-6 Analysis

These chapters reveal a different side of the plantation as we learn more about Erasmus, Titch, and the other inhabitants of the manor house. While Erasmus is a strict and cruel master, capable of careless violence, Titch seems kinder and gentler. Wash’s attempt at self-defense in the form of the nail meets not with punishment or anger but with quiet pity, illustrating the ways in which Titch departs from his brother. Titch seems uncomfortable with the obsequiousness of slaves, and he encourages Wash to develop his intellect and pursue his talents. The dichotomy between Titch and Erasmus complicates the idea of the brutal white slave owner, indicating that even among the white ruling class, there are tensions and divides.

While Wash gradually warms to Titch as he spends more time with him, Wash is still heartsick for Big Kit. This conflict informs a pervasive sense of loss, as well as the understanding that Wash may not be able to truly be at home or form family connections anywhere. The only constant relationship allowed in Wash’s life is that of a slave to a master.

These chapters also focus on the pursuit of scientific learning and research, exploring the ways that characters like Titch seek to expand the bounds of human knowledge, even as they are complicit in the savage practice of slavery. Wash’s education at the hands of Titch explores the tension between progress and brutality. Although Titch initially selects Wash as his assistant because he is the correct size to fit in the Cloud-cutter, he comes to recognize Wash’s innate intelligence and artistic skill. Despite this, however, Wash is still inescapably enslaved, unable to determine the course of his own life.