Meridian | Part 3, Section 29 : Ending (Travels) | Summary

Summary

In this chapter Truman and Meridian are working together again in the Chicokema area for the civil rights movement. They have come to the home of Johnny, Agnes, and their son, Johnny, Jr., to try to get the adults to register to vote. Agnes is mortally ill, but the family is very sweet in their love for one another. Johnny lost his job at the copper plant nearby because he protested that he was not allowed to look out the window while he worked, but he works hard to provide for his family in other ways. Agnes's desire is to die at a time that will allow her to be buried on Mother's Day.

When Johnny says he will not vote because it can't possibly help him, Truman tries to reason with him. Meridian, on the other hand, does not say much. Instead, she goes to the grocery store and brings the family two bags of food. After Mother's Day, Johnny returns the gift in the form of six skinned rabbits and newspaper logs for starting a fire. He has signed his name on a voter registration sheet after all.

Analysis

This chapter shows the power of listening and understanding. It shows that civil rights can, indeed, be acquired outside of revolution or argumentation. Johnny registers to vote because Meridian has shown she actually cares in a very real way about him and his family. He registers to vote to honor his wife and, he hopes, to make life better for their son.