Flying Home

“He swayed, giddily. Blackness washed over him, like infinity.”

This quotation references the first time Todd meets Jefferson and Teddy, immediately after injuring himself. It is an example of an author using a word to convey multiple meanings. Blackness, in this case, refers to the overwhelming, almost surreal pain of Todd’s broken ankle, like a blackout. It also could represent the dread and hopelessness that Todd feels when he fully comprehends his predicament. Another possibility is that “Blackness” has a positive connotation. Because Todd and the other two characters in this scene are Black men, the Blackness washing over Todd is a feeling of belonging and welcome. This would explain the “giddy” swaying in the prior sentence. The sentence is also a simile, comparing Blackness to infinity. Todd’s struggles as a Black American may seem infinite or endless, with little resolution in sight.

“He looked at his watch; how long had he been here? He knew there was but one important thing in the world, to get the plane back to the field before his officers were displeased.”

Despite his injury, Todd is primarily concerned with getting the plane back to the field before his officers become upset. This is an example of Todd’s obsession with pleasing the officers and proving his capabilities. In addition, Todd realizes that there is little chance that the officers will be empathetic and understanding about his broken ankle. Instead, they will likely be angry about the plane and feel vindicated that Black people are less capable than white people.

“Clutching the old man’s arm, he pulled himself up, keep­ing his left leg clear, thinking, I’d never make him understand, as the leather-smooth face came parallel with his own.”

At this point in the story, Jefferson is urging Todd to seek immediate medical attention. Todd, however, is not receptive. He immediately judges Jefferson, writing him off as ignorant and unable to “understand” Todd’s predicament or ambitions. The irony is apparent. Here, Todd is forming ideas about Jefferson and his background despite the fact that he does not want to be judged by the color of his own skin.

“Thoughts of himself riding an ox through the town, past streets full of white faces, down the concrete runways of the airfield, made swift images of humiliation in his mind.”

When Todd imagines himself riding an ox through town in order to get to a doctor, the mere thought embarrasses him. This is another example of Todd struggling with Black Identity and Stereotypes. He does not want to be mocked (especially in front of white spectators) or be made into a spectacle. At the end of the story, he stands up to Dabney Graves because he will not wear a straitjacket. Even when Graves kicks him in the chest, Todd does not waver.

“He fell back, exhausted, his ankle pounding. The saliva was like straw in his mouth. If he had the strength he would strangle this old man.”

Todd becomes enraged when he erroneously thinks that Jefferson is mocking him, which is conveyed through figurative language. The simile comparing saliva to straw implies that Todd’s anger is powerful enough to turn liquid into something dry and tough.

“This grinning gray-headed clown who made him feel as he felt when watched by the white officers at the field. And yet this old man had neither power, prestige, rank, nor technique. Nothing that could rid him of this terrible feeling. He watched him, seeing his face struggle to express a turmoil of feeling.”

Todd’s description of Jefferson as a “grinning gray-headed clown” portrays his rage and resentment, in part because he feels as if Jefferson is below him and thus not justified to laugh. This makes him feel even angrier than when white officers scrutinize him.

“In the sky, flying quite low and about a hundred yards’ off, was a plane! It came so slowly that it seemed barely to move. My mouth hung wide; my bread and butter fell into the dirt. I wanted to jump up and down and cheer. And when the idea struck I trembled with excitement: Some little white boy’s plane’s done flew away and all I got to do is stretch out my hands and it’ll be mine!”

When Todd was a child, he saw a plane in the sky and was so amazed that he dropped his bread and butter in the dirt. He assumed that a white boy’s plane was within his reach. The idea of Todd stretching out his hands to snatch the plane is symbolic of his desire for equal opportunities in life regardless of race.

“The plane flew on, as though I had simply blown my breath after it. I grabbed again, frantically, trying to catch the tail. My fingers clutched the air and disappointment surged tight and hard in my throat.”

This scene parallels Todd’s plane crash. He almost acquires what he wants (here, the plane, and at flight school, to successfully fly), but a painful reality keeps it out of his reach.

“When the doctor came I heard my mother telling him about the plane and asking if anything was wrong with my mind.”

The suggestion that Todd has something “wrong with [his] mind” foreshadows a moment later in the story when Dabney Graves tries to put Todd in a straitjacket. Although Todd’s mother was genuinely concerned, while Graves is being vindictive, both situations suggest that Todd is mentally unwell because of his dreams and desires.

“Todd listened to the thread of detachment in the old man’s voice. It was as though he held his words at arm’s length before him to avoid their destructive meaning.”

The figurative language here indicates Todd’s wish that he could protect himself from “destructive” words by merely holding out his arm. Todd is more focused on protecting his dignity and feelings than on physical pain like his broken ankle.

“Closing his eyes, he heard Jefferson’s voice as the sun burned blood-red upon his lids.”

Red represents passion and anger. Todd is literally closing his eyes, but this also indicates that he is no longer letting himself be impacted by his pride and anger, at least for the time being.

“He was poised between two poles of fear and hate as he heard the one called Graves saying, ‘He looks kinda purty in that there suit, boys. I’m glad you dropped by.’”

For the first time in the story, Todd experiences bona fide fear as opposed to anxiety or trepidation. The “two poles of fear and hate” represent looming, unavoidable feelings, especially considering that Todd, lying on the ground, is unable to move.

“Jefferson and the boy approached him silently. He looked away, realizing and doubting at once that only they could release him from his overpowering sense of isolation.”

Todd admits that Jefferson and Teddy are his allies and that they are all equally victimized by a racist society. At the same time, however, he still feels alone and different from the other Black characters.