Part 2, Chapter 6 Summary

Today is the day of Dr. Copeland's annual Christmas party. He rises early in anticipation of what the day may hold. Portia has come to help with the preparations, but instead of feeling grateful, he is annoyed with her chattering. He knows that she is concerned that she hasn't received a letter from Willie this week, but there are important things to be decided.

Each year there is an essay contest for a $5 prize. This year's theme is the topic of bettering the position of the Negro race in society, an issue at the core of the doctor's life. He has been unable to instill this fervor in his children, and he hopes that the annual contest will prove that all is not lost.

Dr. Copeland has a special appreciation for Karl Marx and even named one of his sons after...