Home to Harlem · Character

Zeddy Plummer

A stocky, bear-walking hustler and poolroom gambler, Zeddy is Jake's old army buddy, a man whose easy living has made him a joke among his own crowd.

supporting

Also known as Zeddy

First appearance: III: Zeddy

As a supporting figure in Home to Harlem, Zeddy Plummer is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Jake's friend and rival, whose relationship with Susy and aggressive demeanor create tension.

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Zeddy greets Jake in Uncle Doc's saloon with kisses and French slang, the two veterans trading stories of Brest and the graves they crawled out of. But in Harlem his buddies snicker that he's kept under Gin-head Susy's skirt, a skirt-man teased even by Billy Biasse, and he's had to fight a fellow in Dixie Red's poolroom over the insult. His wounded pride and taste for gambling pull Jake deeper into the Belt's poolrooms and back rooms, showing how quickly a man's standing can curdle in the gossip of the avenue.

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The fuller portrait of Zeddy Plummer sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Zeddy Plummer in III: Zeddy

Character Web

22 connections

A slice of how Zeddy Plummer sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Harlem Nightlife Core
Protagonist

+17 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

The emotional peak occurs when the narrator, stripped of his last private space and forced into a crowded, sha…

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In the story

Zeddy Plummer appears across 11 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

First Part
Jake's friend and rival, whose relationship with Susy and aggressive demeanor create tension.
III: Zeddy
Jake's war buddy, now working as a longshoreman, shares memories of Brest and cautions Jake about keeping his desertion secret.
IV: Congo Rose
Zeddy accompanies Jake to the Congo, introduces him to the scene, and observes Rose's interest in Jake.
On the Job Again
Recruits Jake for a scab job, defends his actions, and nearly kills Nije Gridley over a debt.
Myrtle Avenue
Envies Jake's success with women and attends Susy's party hoping to find a lover.
VII: Zeddy's Rise and Fall
Now living with Susy on Myrtle Avenue, Zeddy enjoys the material comforts of being kept but resents Susy's control over his movements and her jealousy. He rebels by returning to Harlem and flaunting his independence at the Congo.
Jake Makes a Move
Jake meets Zeddy at Uncle Doc's saloon after leaving Rose.
Second Part
Jake's old friend, now being kept by Susy.
The Treeing of the Chef
Mentioned as someone Jake would call 'buddy', contrasting with his more respectful relationship with Ray.
Interlude
Mentioned as missing from Harlem, last heard to be in Yonkers.
The Gift That Billy Gave
Appears to apologize to Jake for his earlier threats and reconciles with him before leaving.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Zeddy Plummer unlock in the free preview.

See Zeddy Plummer in III: Zeddy

See Zeddy Plummer in First Part