Jennie is John Jones’s sister who works as domestic help in the Judge’s home. When the Judge’s son, the “White John,” comes home to Altamaha from Princeton, he notices for the first time how attractive Jennie is and decides to chase her into the woods, where he assaults her. After John Jones hears Jennie’s distressed cries and kills the White John in her defense, it’s unclear what happens to Jennie.
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Jennie Character Timeline in The Souls of Black Folk
The timeline below shows where the character Jennie appears in The Souls of Black Folk. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 13: Of the Coming of John
...visiting home on holiday breaks; he stays and works in Johnstown instead. Meanwhile, his sister, Jennie, goes to work in the kitchen of the local white Judge.
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...that college is essential for the White John’s transition into manhood. The Judge’s wife asks Jennie how her brother is, echoing the sentiment that being sent off will “spoil him.” Jennie...
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...a result, he is suspended. John begs the Dean not to tell his mother and Jennie, promising to work for a term before returning to the Institute. The Dean agrees, and...
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...realizes that the congregation believes he is “trampling on the true Religion.” Leaving the church, Jennie asks John if everyone who studies ends up unhappy, and John replies that they do.
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...that there are no girls around who are worth pursuing. However, just then, he notices Jennie walking around the grounds. The White John brushes off his initial interest with a laugh,...
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...the Judge to close the black school, John Jones begins walking toward home to meet Jennie and break the news to her when she gets home from work. On his way...
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