After Tod Clifton’s tragic death, the narrator returns to the Brotherhood offices in Harlem, carrying the weight of his grief. He cannot bring himself to tell the others what has happened. His thoughts replay their brief encounter earlier that day, and he is consumed by regret for his impulsive anger. The unanswered questions surrounding Clifton’s actions torment him—what had driven Clifton to sell the degrading Sambo dolls? Now, with Clifton gone, the narrator realises the answers are lost forever.
The narrator examines the Sambo doll again and is filled with disgust. Turning it over in his hands, he discovers a nearly invisible thread that allows Clifton to control it from a distance. He wonders if confronting Clifton about the dolls earlier might have led to a confrontation that could have saved him from the fatal clash with the police.
Unable to reconcile Clifton’s choices or the circumstances of his death, the narrator resolves to organise a public funeral. He hopes the event will honour Clifton’s memory, inspire the Harlem community and bring people back into the Brotherhood’s fold. Members of Clifton’s Youth Brigade, shaken and grief-stricken, gather after hearing the news. Although the narrator tries to channel their grief into outrage, they remain stunned and overwhelmed.
Efforts to contact Brotherhood headquarters prove fruitless, so the narrator plunges into planning the funeral on his own. He coordinates collections, schedules meetings and sets everything in motion. Two days later, the funeral takes place, designed as a grand event to draw Harlem’s attention. The mourners move through the streets in a slow, solemn procession accompanied by a band. The spectacle draws a massive crowd, though the narrator wonders whether they have come to mourn or to find solidarity in their own frustrations about the order of things.
As the procession moves forward, a man begins singing the spiritual “There’s Many a Thousand Gone.” The euphonium joins in, and soon, the entire crowd is united in song. The narrator observes a deep shift in the atmosphere. The song has stirred something profound within the people.
The procession concludes in a park, where the gathered crowd waits for the narrator to speak. Unprepared, he wrestles with the weight of their expectations. The narrator becomes angry at the expectation of the crowd and begins by telling them to go home. He says that there is nothing he can say that they don’t already know. Yet his opening words transform into a powerful refrain as he delivers an impassioned speech honouring Clifton. The narrator knows Brother Jack would disapprove of the speech’s lack of political focus, but he feels compelled to continue.
The speech concludes on a sombre and bitter note. Although the narrator doubts that his words achieved their intended political purpose, the emotional resonance of the speech is undeniable. The funeral ends, and Clifton is laid to rest. Exhausted, the narrator walks home, still determined to harness the energy sparked by the event for future action. As he moves through the Harlem market, he senses the lingering tension from the funeral and resolves not to let the momentum slip away.
The Sambo Doll’s Symbolism: The narrator’s discovery of the hidden thread reveals that Clifton retained some agency, even as he distanced himself from the Brotherhood. The doll symbolises a complex mix of subjugation and control. This complicates any straightforward interpretation of Clifton’s actions.
The Role of the Funeral: The funeral serves as a cathartic outlet for Harlem’s collective grief and frustration. For many, Clifton’s death is a stark reminder of their disenfranchisement within a system dominated by white power. By focusing on popular concerns, the narrator succeeds in re-energising the community.
A Personal Perspective on Clifton: Although the narrator initially attempts to frame Clifton’s story as a political statement, he ultimately speaks from a place of personal grief. His speech underscores the tension between viewing Clifton as an individual and as a symbol. Despite Clifton’s estrangement from the Brotherhood, the narrator believes that his life and humanity deserve to be remembered and celebrated.
Multiple-Choice Questions
Why does the narrator hesitate to inform the Brotherhood about Tod Clifton’s death?
a) He is afraid of their reaction.
b) He feels too heartbroken and conflicted.
c) He has no time due to funeral arrangements.
d) He wants to protect Clifton’s reputation.
What does the nearly invisible thread on the Sambo doll represent?
a) The invisibility of oppression.
b) The inevitability of Clifton’s death
c) Brotherhood’s hidden influence.
d) A tool for deception.
What drives the narrator to organise a public funeral for Clifton?
a) To impress the Brotherhood leaders.
b) To reclaim Clifton’s legacy and unite the community.
c) To promote the sale of the Sambo dolls.
d) To distract himself from his grief.
How does the narrator’s speech at the funeral differ from what Brother Jack would approve of?
a) It contains no political messaging.
b) It advocates for violent protests and a revolution.
c) It criticises the Brotherhood’s leadership.
d) It focuses on Clifton’s humanity instead of political ideals.
What is one of the funeral’s broader impacts on the Harlem community?
a) It sparks immediate political action.
b) It causes people to abandon the Brotherhood.
c) It serves as a moment of collective catharsis and unity.
d) It is forgotten shortly afterward.
ANSWER: 1. B 2. A 3. B 4. D 5. C
Theory Questions
Explain the symbolic significance of the Sambo doll in the context of Clifton’s actions and death.
Evaluate the role of Clifton’s funeral in uniting the Harlem community.
