Jubilee

The Browns arrive in Luverne, Alabama—a small, quiet town. One of the soldiers tells her that this “part of Alabama has been in a famine ever since the war ended,” which explains the raw-boned white people staring at them from outside of their “ramshackly houses” (442). The soldiers admit that they’ll be unlikely to farm in Crenshaw County but could have better luck in Butler County. Vyry knows that Butler County is where the town of Georgiana is.

The soldiers take the Browns to a “three-room shack at the end of a long row of houses where colored people were living in Luverne” (445). They’re unhappy to be there but content themselves with at least having shelter. Innis Brown takes Jim with him to the Freedman’s Bureau, where he “[hires] himself out driving a dray” (445). Three weeks after moving to Luverne, Vyry delivers her baby stillborn. She rests for 10 days, in a state of depression. Then, Innis Brown announces that the government has found the family a farm in Butler County in the town of Greensville. Vyry is reluctant to go, however, and reluctant to build again. She insists on knowing something about their possible neighbors first. Moreover, she wants to go to Georgiana first and check on Miss Lillian.

Winter comes. For Christmas, the Browns kill their hogs and have more fresh meat than they can hold. To protect their meat from potential thieves, Innis Brown buys a small rat terrier, who also serves as a playmate for the children. He next buys Jim a .22-caliber rifle, which cheers the boy, who has been disappointed about having to work and support the family instead of attending school. In spring 1870, Vyry feels restored and seems to be getting over the loss of her home. She starts selling “her wares through the country side” (453). She no longer worries about leaving Minna and Harry home alone, with the locks on the doors and their helpful new neighbors. Still, she refuses Brown’s insistence that they build their new house.

Vyry goes to Georgiana and easily finds Mr. Porter’s store. She sees Lillian sitting on the porch, talking rapidly to herself, saying that she knows her name and that she’s not crazy. Susan comes out of the house, followed by Miss Lucy. Vyry tells Miss Lucy about all her family’s misfortunes. Mr. Porter comes out of his store to greet Vyry and offers his help if the family needs anything. Miss Lucy suggests that he assist them with recording their claim to the land, which he agrees to do. Vyry then accepts Miss Lucy’s offer that she and the children spend the night before setting out on their return trip. She notices the friendship forming between Minna and Susan. When Vyry rides home the next day, she can still hear Lillian’s crazed chant “ringing in her ears” (458).

By spring 1870, the Browns are still unsettled. They set out for Greenville. Innis Brown says little to his wife now about his dreams, knowing how cynical she’s become. Jim, meanwhile, feels that no one understands his desires, but also doesn’t think he can express his needs coherently. He feels jealous of Harry, whom he thinks gets more of Vyry’s attention and affection, while his stepfather treats him like “a workhorse” (461). It seems that the Browns are meant to remain in southern Alabama, which is timber country. The state also has a high rate of illiteracy and controversy over educating black people. Furthermore, where would one find teachers? Those that came from New England had values that were antithetical to those of the Southerners. If there were to be any teachers, white or black, they had to come from the South. By the end of the day, the Browns reach their new settlement. They believe that, alas, they have arrived at “a permanent home” (463).

Vyry still refuses to allow her husband to build a house. Innis Brown complains that their lumber will rot from dampness if it lies on the ground for much longer. Vyry admits that she wants to spend the money intended for a house to send her children to school. Brown insists that they can’t afford it. Moreover, he needs Jim’s help to build. Meanwhile, Brown takes his wife into town two or three times per week to sell her wares from their farm. Vyry asks an old woman whom she passes for a drink of water. The woman obliges then complains to Vyry about “the niggers […] moving in here on all [their] good farmland” (467). Vyry hears more complaints like this from white people who mistake her for white. Brown decides that he no longer wants Vyry selling her goods to “poor white trash” (469). Vyry decides to go into town by herself. She meets an old couple a mile from town. The old man fought in the Civil War but came home after realizing that he’d probably never own slaves himself. The following Saturday, Vyry decides not to go back into town.