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
Tanna and Wash return together to England with the specimen, and Goff gives them his blessing to go to Morocco together—even though he knew very well that Tanna accompanied Wash to Amsterdam and did not go to Judith’s, as he happened to run into Judith herself, traveling in London. Goff scolded them for the lie but said nothing else, arranging for them to retrieve a rare squid from another colleague.
This moment is an important benchmark for Goff, as he seems to have relented to Tanna and Wash’s relationship. After working with Wash for so long, it seems that Goff no longer fears the social disdain that might spring from his daughter having a relationship with Wash—and the book gives no indication that they’ve faced any. In this way, the book suggests that sometimes the perception or fear of prejudice can perpetuate bias just as much as actual prejudice, because he didn’t give Wash the same treatment that he might have given a white suitor for Tanna.
Themes
Weeks pass as Wash and Tanna make arrangements for their journey, and they continue their work at Ocean House. Looking around one day, Wash feels immensely proud. He has created a place where people can come to view animals they thought were nightmarish and see instead how beautiful they are. But he also sees his hard work, his late nights, and his sweat, and he is anguished knowing that his name will not be credited. He knows that he has to find a way to make peace with this loss.
Wash recognizes the potential that scientific discovery has on opening people’s eyes to amazing creatures and enabling them to understand more about them. The creatures are also a metaphor for Wash’s place in society, as others often view him as “nightmarish” until they have a chance to get to know him and see how brilliant he is.
Themes
