Summary

In Part Two, Chapter 1, Jim is wandering through the woods searching for food when Norman appears. He left the Virginia Minstrels because he was tired of “pass[ing] for white” (189). After Norman rests, Jim tells him about his plan to buy Sadie and Lizzie. The friends decide that Norman will pose as Jim’s owner, and Jim as his slave. They will then sell Jim in town to get the money Jim needs. Norman then gives Jim Emmett’s song notebook.

The companions walk for three days. They make jokes and laugh. Eventually they reach a town that “might be called Bluebird” (194). Norman gets into a tense conversation with a white woman who disdains Jim. Jim suddenly worries that Norman is “an insane white man” pretending to be Black (195). He tells himself it does not matter and gives Norman his notebook to hold...