John Henry Days: Analysis of Major Characters
"John Henry Days: Analysis of Major Characters" delves into the complexities of characters surrounding the legendary figure of John Henry, an African-American steel-driver who epitomizes the struggle against oppressive systems. The narrative weaves together the lives of various journalists, including J. Sutter, an aimless freelancer who evolves from self-serving to forming meaningful connections, and Dave Brown, a jaded journalist seeking to escape the superficiality of press junkets. Pamela Street, the daughter of a John Henry enthusiast, grapples with her father's obsession and seeks closure after his death. Other characters like Chester "One Eye," Bobby Figgis, and Lucien Joyce illustrate the diverse motivations and challenges faced by journalists in their pursuit of stories. The tale is further enriched by figures such as Alphonse Miggs, whose inexplicable actions at a commemorative event ignite chaos, and Guy Johnson, a professor confronting the remnants of racial barriers while researching the John Henry legend. Through these interconnected lives, the narrative reflects on themes of identity, legacy, and the search for meaning amidst societal struggles, inviting readers to explore the deeper implications of the John Henry myth.
John Henry Days: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Colson Whitehead
First published: 2001
Genre: Novel
Locale: Talcott, West Virginia; New York City
Plot: Historical fiction
Time: 1940s, 1950s, 1996
John Henry, a railroad steel-driver legend. An African-American man of legendary strength, John Henry races a steam-powered, steel-driving machine and wins, only to die shortly after the competition. He has come to symbolize the struggles of the common worker who daily battles the “machine” of an uncaring corporation or culture that constantly tries to oppress him. At the heart of the novel John Henry Days is “The Ballad of John Henry.”
J. Sutter, a freelance journalist. The protagonist of the story, J. is an aimless African-American journalist who has taken on a challenge to attend a press event every day for one year. He is drawn to these press junkets by the free food and giveaways, challenging himself to spend as little of his own money as possible. Through the course of the novel, J. goes from lone wolf, focusing on what he can take, to being a friend, connecting with a woman whom he helps memorialize her father. He begins by focusing on just another junket, but ends by finding a meaningful connection to place.
Dave Brown, a freelance journalist. Dave is described as having an oversized head and a gnome's body. He is a successful, well-known journalist whose byline has appeared in such well-known publications as Playboy, Rolling Stone, and the New York Times. He's a bit jaded, taking on fluff junkets like John Henry Days for the free food and heavy drinking with his journalist friends. He is convinced someone has created “the List” of journalist invitees for these events, to garner free publicity, and he makes it a secret mission to find the list and delete his name.
Chester “One Eye,” freelance journalist. One Eye is like a scarecrow with a brown buzz cut. Thin, wiry, and a gaudy dresser, Chester earned his nickname when he lost an eye in a freak accident in a bar when someone accidently poked a finger in his eye.
Bobby Figgis, a well-known journalist. A journalism legend with the dubious distinction of having attempted a yearlong, daily press junket run, Bobby Figgis has a Harvard MBA and began his journalism career writing about his fellow Harvard alumni for the Wall Street Journal. As a lark, after going free-lance he made a bet with a colleague that he could attend a press junket every day for a year. He becomes obsessed, a near automaton, running from one event to another. He loses his wife and home, eventually disappearing into obscurity. He becomes a harbinger of the risks inherent in the life of a journalist junketeer.
Pamela Street, daughter of a deceased John Henry enthusiast. After her father's death, Pamela is left with virtually a museum full of John Henry artifacts that her father collected over his lifetime. His obsession had a negative impact on his relationship with Pamela, who could never understand his devotion to John Henry. The Talcott Chamber of Commerce has contacted Pamela because of their interest in her father's collection. However, she uses the trip as an opportunity to come to terms with his death, to reconcile with him, leaving his ashes in the place that meant so much to him.
Alphonse Miggs, a stamp collector. Miggs is a solitary man who has found solace in the art of philately (stamp collecting). He is quiet, meek, orderly, and very meticulous. It is never clear why Miggs pulls out a pistol and shoots into the air at the unveiling ceremony of the new John Henry postage stamp. He is killed in the ensuing melee.
Benny and Josie, married owners of the Talcott Motor Lodge. For the first time in its history, the Talcott Motor Lodge is fully booked for the John Henry Days festivities. Josie is convinced the lodge is haunted, though there has never been any evidence to support her theory.
Lucien Joyce, a public relations executive. Lucien is a highly successful executive who behaves like a games master manipulating the press and the public's response, like so many game pieces, all to his clients' benefit.
Jake Rose, a plugger-songwriter. Jake is a song plugger, playing tunes on the piano to help sell sheet music, but he dreams about writing his own songs. One of the first things Jake does to boost his career is change his name. Jacob is a Jewish man, trying to make it in a world dominated by rag-time, jazz, and the blues. He composes “The Ballad of John Henry”
Jennifer Sutter, a young piano student and J. Sutter's mother as a child. Jennifer is a young girl whose mother insists that she learn how to play proper, “cultured” music, which takes great discipline. She hires the best music teacher in Harlem, whom Jennifer finds uninspiring due to his rigidity and insistence on proper form. One day, while browsing through a music store, Jennifer comes across “The Ballad of John Henry” by Jake Rose. She is shocked by the freedom and inspiration she feels while playing the song. However, her mother shuts her down, angry that she should try playing such trash. Jennifer is forced to play “Shortnin' Bread” for her recital.
Lawrence Flittings, assistant to Lucien Joyce, a publicity guru. A tall, blond, well-dressed, even elegant young man, like someone from a New York fashion spread, Lawrence is obsequious and literal, lacking any sense of imagination or understanding of irony. Lucien often uses these characteristics to manipulate Lawrence into leaving him alone.
Joan Acorn, a journalism intern. On her summer break from school, Joan takes on a journalism internship where her first assignment is to report on the unveiling of a new commemorative stamp of the folk legend John Henry. Her reporting skills are sorely tested when a gunman opens fire at the event.
L'il Bob, John Henry's work partner. L'il Bob is John Henry's devoted friend.
Moses, a blues musician. Moses tries to make a name for himself, living on the road, traveling from town to town. He makes it his practice to sing to the ugliest woman in the room because she'll be willing to take him home and cook for him. He heads to Chicago's south side to perform at Rudy's club where Andrew Goodman, a record storeowner and record producer, hears him. Goodman records Moses singing “The Ballad of John Henry.”
Guy Johnson, an African-American college professor. Guy is conducting research, traveling across the country interviewing those with first- or second-hand knowledge about, or who might have known or worked with John Henry. Across the south, he is shocked by the remnants of Jim Crow that still bar an African-American man from hotels and restaurants. Although he preceded his visit with letters of inquiry, once white people realize that Professor Johnson is African-American, they deny having anything to say to him.
Herbert Standard, a 12-year-old boy. Patient, quick-witted, and well regarded in the community, Herbert helps Guy navigate the streets of Hinton and Talcott, West Virginia, as Guy tries to trace the origins of the John Henry legend.
Mrs. Thompson, a kind and efficient woman, Mrs. Thompson rents a room to Guy Johnson after he is turned away at the McCreery Hotel because of his race.
Paul Robeson, African-American stage actor. Robeson has the starring role in the 1940 stage musical John Henry, based on the 1931 Roark Bradford novel. The show lasted for five days—a miserable failure.
Rudy, a club owner in Chicago where Moses plays.
Monica, J.'s bi-weekly lover.
Bobby Martin, a local Talcott boy.