# Zeddy Plummer — Home to Harlem character guide

> Zeddy Plummer in Home to Harlem by Claude McKay.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Zeddy

**First appearance:** 0005-iii-zeddy

## Snapshot

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.

## Who they are

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.

## In the story

### [First Part](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/home_to_harlem_se/chapters/first-part)

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

### [III: Zeddy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/home_to_harlem_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/home_to_harlem_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/home_to_harlem_se/chapters/v-on-the-job-again)

Recruits Jake for a scab job, defends his actions, and nearly kills Nije Gridley over a debt.

### [Myrtle Avenue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/home_to_harlem_se/chapters/vi-myrtle-avenue)

Envies Jake's success with women and attends Susy's party hoping to find a lover.

### [VII: Zeddy's Rise and Fall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/home_to_harlem_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/home_to_harlem_se/chapters/ix-jake-makes-a-move)

Jake meets Zeddy at Uncle Doc's saloon after leaving Rose.

### [Second Part](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/home_to_harlem_se/chapters/second-part)

Jake's old friend, now being kept by Susy.

### [The Treeing of the Chef](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/home_to_harlem_se/chapters/xii-the-treeing-of-the-chef)

Mentioned as someone Jake would call 'buddy', contrasting with his more respectful relationship with Ray.

### [Interlude](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/home_to_harlem_se/chapters/xiv-interlude)

Mentioned as missing from Harlem, last heard to be in Yonkers.

### [The Gift That Billy Gave](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/home_to_harlem_se/chapters/xxi-the-gift-that-billy-gave)

Appears to apologize to Jake for his earlier threats and reconciles with him before leaving.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/home_to_harlem_se/characters/zeddy
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/home_to_harlem_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/home_to_harlem_se/characters