# Cudjo — John Brown’s Body character guide

> Cudjo in John Brown’s Body by Stephen Vincent Benét.

**Role:** minor

**First appearance:** 0006-book-ii

## Who they are

An enslaved Black man on the Wingate plantation, appears in domestic scenes.

## Relationships

### [Old Mistis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/john_brown_s_body_se/characters/old_mistis)

_professional_

Cudjo is an enslaved servant to Old Mistis, their relationship defined by the power imbalance of slavery.

### [Old Mistis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/john_brown_s_body_se/characters/old_mistis)

_professional_

Cudjo is an enslaved servant to Old Mistis, their relationship defined by the power imbalance of slavery.

## In the story

### [Book I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/john_brown_s_body_se/chapters/book-i)

Portrayed as the loyal major-domo of Wingate Hall, deeply knowledgeable about the genealogies and secrets of the white families, yet bound by an unspoken bond.

### [Book VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/john_brown_s_body_se/chapters/book-viii)

Cudjo buries the Wingate silverware in the graveyard at night, assisted by Mary Lou Wingate. He reflects on his lifelong service and the world he has known being buried with the silver.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/john_brown_s_body_se/characters/cudjo
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/john_brown_s_body_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/john_brown_s_body_se/characters