Summary

Part X begins with Dr. Oludara chastising Ailey for being self-conscious about what white students think of her. Ailey decides to focus her research on the Pinchard family, as she is descended from Wood Place. She becomes angry during her research, though, as she studies the cruelties of slavery in depth. She finds that “every white person who crossed my path made me want to scream” (659). Ailey’s research leads her to a collection of old letters, one of which is written by Nick to Samuel. In the letter, Nick forgives Samuel for his sins and warns him of eternal damnation. Ailey’s research also reveals that the Hutchinson sisters, who founded Routledge College, were in fact Rabbit and Leena from Wood Place. This section concludes with Ailey ending her relationship with Scooter.

The next Song resumes immediately after Nick...