Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Washington Black, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Freedom vs. Captivity
Racism, Humanity, and Cruelty
Journeying and the Past
Family, Love, and Pain
Art, Science, and Curiosity
Summary
Analysis
Later, Wash joins Goff and Tanna in their home to eat—Wash is surprised to be invited in. Tanna says she hopes he likes mackerel, and he assures her that the food smells great. As Tanna serves him, his plate snaps in half in her hands, and he asks if she’s hurt. She has a small cut, and she goes to patch it up herself. Noticing the oil paintings around, Wash comments to Goff that Tanna is a fine painter, and Goff observes that Wash has taken a real interest in Tanna.
Wash acknowledges that even though Goff isn’t thrilled about his growing close to Tanna, Goff and Tanna still both treat him more humanely than most other people in Nova Scotia (or in any of the places he’s traveled) ever have. The fact that Goff continues to warm to Wash and invites him into their home also shows Goff’s potential for growth.
Themes
Sipping wine, Goff explains that English society never accepted Tanna, which has wounded her. He says that he doesn’t wish her any more hardship, and Wash understands that what he fears for both of them is social disdain—under different circumstances, he would have accepted Wash. Goff then comments on how meticulous Wash’s drawings are, and he asks if Wash would illustrate Goff’s next tract. Wash assures him that it would be a pleasure.
Goff suggests that his prejudice doesn’t really stem from his own judgment, but rather the judgment that society places on both Wash and Tanna. Goff recognizes that English society already sees Tanna as lesser than white people, and her association with Wash would make this attitude even worse. His points emphasize how racism doesn’t just manifest in cruel words and actions, but in the societal acceptance of white superiority as well.
Themes
Tanna returns just as Wash agrees to illustrate the book, and she glances at Goff. Goff, meanwhile, moves on to talk about his exhibition, and Wash wonders if he would make the exhibition a live one, filled with tanks where people could visit and observe the animals. Goff is amazed at the idea, saying that this would be a marvel. They all start to enthusiastically discuss the conundrums of needing to seal the tanks but giving the creatures oxygen, and of getting the right acidity in the water.
Science is a way for Wash, Tanna, and Goff to understand the world around them. But in suggesting a live exhibit (essentially the first public aquarium), Wash illustrates that science can also help spark curiosity in others, as they discover the beauty in creatures they wouldn’t normally get to see.
Themes
After Wash uses the restroom, Goff tells him that he is leaving Tanna and Wash the following weekend to sort out the crinoids, as he will be traveling to a hamlet up the coast. He says that it won’t be a pleasant journey, so he didn’t think Tanna would mind being left behind. At this, Tanna starts to clear the table.
Even though the book never fully fleshes out the source of Tanna and Goff’s conflict, their coldness toward each other shows how complicated and emotionally painful even loving family relationships can be. For example, Tanna feels slighted by her father doing scientific business without her, or choosing Wash to illustrate Goff’s papers over her.
Themes
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