# Jerry Letlow — The Marrow of Tradition character guide

> Jerry Letlow in The Marrow of Tradition by Charles W. Chesnutt.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Jerry, Jerry Letlow

**First appearance:** 0003-ii-the-christening-party

## Snapshot

A Black servant in the Carteret household whose desperate wish to stay safe among powerful white people collides with a town erupting around him.

## Who they are

Jerry works in Major Carteret's home and prides himself on being useful, unobtrusive, and on good terms with the white folks he serves. When a crowd sweeps him into the armed standoff at the hospital, his terror and his protests mark him as a man caught between races and unable to choose a side. His helplessness throws the violence of the novel into sharp relief, showing what happens to those who only want to survive.

## Relationships

### [General Belmont](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_marrow_of_tradition_se/characters/general_belmont)

_psychological_

General Belmont manipulates Jerry Letlow, using him as a tool for political machinations and exploiting his loyalty.

### [General Belmont](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_marrow_of_tradition_se/characters/general_belmont)

_psychological_

General Belmont manipulates Jerry Letlow, using him as a tool for political machinations and exploiting his loyalty.

### [General Belmont](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_marrow_of_tradition_se/characters/general_belmont)

_psychological_

General Belmont manipulates Jerry Letlow, using him as a tool for political machinations and exploiting his loyalty.

## In the story

### [The Editor at Work](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_marrow_of_tradition_se/chapters/iii-the-editor-at-work)

The colored porter and grandson of Mammy Jane. He brings chairs for the visitors, is treated dismissively by McBane, and reflects on the major's condescending but not openly hostile manner.

### [IV: Theodore Felix](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_marrow_of_tradition_se/chapters/iv-theodore-felix)

Mentioned by Mammy Jane as her grandson whom she raised to be humble and keep his place.

### [A Journey Southward](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_marrow_of_tradition_se/chapters/v-a-journey-southward)

Black man who rides under the train; emerges at Wellington station, grateful to be alive.

### [IX: A White Man's "Nigger"](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_marrow_of_tradition_se/chapters/ix-a-white-man-s-nigger)

The servant who fetches drinks, contemplates keeping the change due to Belmont's forgetfulness, and overhears the conspiratorial conversation.

### [XXI: The Necessity of an Example](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_marrow_of_tradition_se/chapters/xxi-the-necessity-of-an-example)

Porter who identified Sandy Campbell; is praised and rewarded by the white leaders, but notices the streets are empty of Black people.

### [The Honor of a Family](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_marrow_of_tradition_se/chapters/xxv-the-honor-of-a-family)

The porter at the Chronicle office who encounters Mr. Delamere at the door.

### [XXVIII: In Season and Out](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_marrow_of_tradition_se/chapters/xxviii-in-season-and-out)

Brings drinks to the 'Big Three' and is mocked for his hair and skin condition, which the general attributes to reading the Afro-American Banner.

### [XXIX: Muttering of the Storm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_marrow_of_tradition_se/chapters/xxix-muttering-of-the-storm)

Servant who delivers a message from Mr. Ellis and schemes to cheat General Belmont on the cocktail order.

### [XXXV: “Mine Enemy, O Mine Enemy!”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_marrow_of_tradition_se/chapters/xxxv-mine-enemy-o-mine-enemy)

Terrified and hiding during the riot; attempts to flee and seek protection from Major Carteret but is killed by the mob despite waving a white handkerchief.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_marrow_of_tradition_se/characters/jerry_letlow
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_marrow_of_tradition_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_marrow_of_tradition_se/characters