-
The Emancipation Proclamation
Emancipation Proclamation The Document passed under the Lincoln presidency that officially freed slaves, but since the south did not consider themselves a part of that government the effects did not kick in until the fights ended. Even though effects of this document do not kick in for a bit, when they do ex - slaves everywere are overjoyed, and now Jane can leave for Ohio."..And I'm headed for Ohio."23 -
Jane Leaves for Ohio
The slaves on the plantation are set free and Jane and a small group of ex-slaves mount their journey to a new life. Jane can leave her plantation life behind and go find Corporal Brown in Ohio. This gives her a goal and a motivation and a place to go for a new life. It sets her up to meet ned and shape her life even further. " Well, just call me Mr. Brown"(8) - a symbol of respect for eachother in this brief encounter she has with the man who will motivate her to move and go somewere. -
Period: to
The Legacy Of Miss Jane Pittman
Jane Begins Telling her Lifes story to as far as she can remeber back when she was 10 - 11 years old just after the Emancipation Proclamation is passed and she is freed from slavery. She then begins her journey to a new life. -
The Massacre
A Day after leaving a small group of patrollers attack the group of ex-slaves and all but Jane and a little Boy by the name of Ned are killed. Jane feels obligated to take ned in as her own and bring him along northward. This changes her course in life and makes her the mother to a wanted man later on and sets her on a completely different course than if she had left him there. " I went back to Ned and asked him if he wanted to go to Ohio with me. He Nodded."(23) -
Jane Meet's Job
Jane meets Job, An old man who helps them alot on their way northward. He takes them to Mr. Bone's plantation were they can get some cash, Despite his estimate of a thirty year journey "You? I figure it 'll take you about thirty years. Give or take a couple."(53)but they end up staying on that plantation for a long time. -
Ned Leaves Home
After A gang comes searching for Ned he feel's he must leave for kansas to continue with the movement for black rights. Upon changing his last name to douglass (on account of Frederick Douglass" he leaves not to be seen until he is a grown man. Jane must now be independent or find somone to be with and that she does when Joe Pittman comes along. She is no longer tied with the duties of caring for Ned and now she can focus more on herself. " I want you to go."(76) Jane knows he must go to live. -
Arrival at Clyde's place
The Clyde place is were Joe can continue with his bronco busting career. This is a new and different environment for Jane so she must adapt to the stress that comes along with dealing with not only new people but of fear of Joe's death. "I dreaded the days they went to Texas to get horses. Scared sombody was coming back and telling me Joe was dead."(88) -
Joe Pittman Dies
Joe Pittman is killed when he goes after the "Devil Horse" that Jane set free trying to stop him from dieing. She hollers "Don't get bck on him, don't get back on him, Joe."(97) examplifiying her distress in this situation. The next morning he comes back dead and Jane must adapt and change to this situation. She's back on her own again and this is her first true loss of a loved one that she can comprehend. -
Ned Returns
Ned returns from the war with a family and ideas about black rights. He has become a powerful speaker and therefore is wanted by a new friend of Mrs. Jane - Albert Cluveau. Jane having her boy return home is wonderful, but she must deal with the complications deriving from the fact that the hitman out for him is her friend. She asks Albert "Can you kill my boy>" and he responds "Yes,". Now Jane knows that Albert is out for her boy but what can she do? Ned will not leave so he will die. -
Ned Dies
Albert Cluveau hits Ned and Jane is left without any real family anymore. He trys to avoid her but she catches up with him and tells him that the chariot of hell will come and get him. Albert takes this as hoo doo but Jane didn't mean it in that like. "I ain't got no hoo doo on your papa,"(123). Albert too ends up dieing of insanity ten years later, and Jane will be compelled to seek reasons for life so she will choose to take up religion. -
Jane goes to Robert Samson
Jane knew Hattie jordan for a long time. So when Albert died she moved off the river. She moves to escape the memories of what took place there,"I told her i wanted to go fartehr tha that, so I wouldn't be reminded of these memories."(129) but she wanted to stay close to Ned's grave. So she goes to work for Robert Samson. This is a New chapter in Janes life and she observes more rather than partaking in events signifying a coming of age. -
Jane's Vision
Jane joins the church shortly after coming to Robert Samson's plantation. She has a Spiritual vision in which she walks by Ned, Joe and Albert all of which offer to take a load off her back. She comes to a river and a man with flowing blonde hair. She crosses the river with the sac and the man tells her " rise i had been born again."(138) She goes through a spiritual time in her live and comes to understand and look at events differenty -
Jimmy Dies
Jane has been observant and watches the events that occur over the plantation and has been watching Jimmy Aaron "The One" grow up. His death encourages her to take a stand for the black race and chooses to go to protest. She stares down her good old friend Robert for a long time showing the change in their relationship and she now is not afraid to stand for her race."Just a little piece of him is dead, The rest of him is waiting for us in Bayonne. And I will go with Alex."(245)