# Fred Merrit — The Walls of Jericho character guide > Fred Merrit in The Walls of Jericho by Rudolph Fisher. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Merrit, Fred, Mr. Merrit **First appearance:** 0002-the-walls-of-jericho ## Who they are A man whose burned house and stricken figure haunt the story's memory, Merrit stands at the center of a wrong that demands answering. ## Relationships ### [Mr. Shine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_walls_of_jericho_se/characters/mr_shine) _rivalry_ Fred and Mr. Shine are locked in a bitter rivalry, both professionally and personally, each trying to outmaneuver the other. ### [Tod Bruce](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_walls_of_jericho_se/characters/tod_bruce) _professional_ Fred and Tod work together, with Tod serving as Fred's associate, but their partnership is purely business-oriented. ### [J. Pennington Potter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_walls_of_jericho_se/characters/j_pennington_potter) _professional_ Fred and J. Pennington Potter have a professional relationship, likely as business partners or colleagues in legal matters. ### [Jinx Jenkins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_walls_of_jericho_se/characters/jinx_jenkins) _social_ Fred and Jinx are acquaintances, but their interactions are limited and often strained by their different social standings. ### [Nora Byle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_walls_of_jericho_se/characters/nora_byle) _social_ Fred and Nora are acquaintances, with their interactions mostly occurring in social or community settings. ### [Mr. Shine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_walls_of_jericho_se/characters/mr_shine) _rivalry_ Fred and Mr. Shine are locked in a bitter rivalry, both professionally and personally, each trying to outmaneuver the other. ### [Mr. Shine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_walls_of_jericho_se/characters/mr_shine) _rivalry_ Fred and Mr. Shine are locked in a bitter rivalry, both professionally and personally, each trying to outmaneuver the other. ### [Tod Bruce](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_walls_of_jericho_se/characters/tod_bruce) _professional_ Fred and Tod work together, with Tod serving as Fred's associate, but their partnership is purely business-oriented. ### [Tod Bruce](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_walls_of_jericho_se/characters/tod_bruce) _professional_ Fred and Tod work together, with Tod serving as Fred's associate, but their partnership is purely business-oriented. ### [J. Pennington Potter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_walls_of_jericho_se/characters/j_pennington_potter) _professional_ Fred and J. Pennington Potter have a professional relationship, likely as business partners or colleagues in legal matters. ### [Jinx Jenkins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_walls_of_jericho_se/characters/jinx_jenkins) _social_ Fred and Jinx are acquaintances, but their interactions are limited and often strained by their different social standings. ### [J. Pennington Potter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_walls_of_jericho_se/characters/j_pennington_potter) _professional_ Fred and J. Pennington Potter have a professional relationship, likely as business partners or colleagues in legal matters. ## In the story ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_walls_of_jericho_se/chapters/i) A Black lawyer whose planned move to Court Avenue is the subject of the argument about a potential riot. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_walls_of_jericho_se/chapters/iii) The wealthy client whose move is planned; he is the target of Patmore's resentment. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_walls_of_jericho_se/chapters/iv) Announces his purchase of a house on Court Avenue, intending to live there despite expected opposition. Expresses his racial hatred and personal motives, including his devotion to his deceased mother. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_walls_of_jericho_se/chapters/v) Greets the moving crew with surprising cordiality, shares the threatening letter he received, and gives casual instructions about his furniture. ### [Uplift](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_walls_of_jericho_se/chapters/uplift) Represents a potential avenue for Pat's advancement, embodying the theme of economic uplift. ### [The Box of J. Pennington Potter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_walls_of_jericho_se/chapters/x) Present in Potter's box, he engages in a sarcastic dialogue with Miss Cramp, concealing his identity and using the conversation to vent his frustrations about racial prejudice and his own mixed heritage. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_walls_of_jericho_se/chapters/xi) Engages Miss Cramp in a provocative discussion about race and power, discovers they are neighbors, and recognizes Linda. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_walls_of_jericho_se/chapters/xii) Discussed in conversation; revealed to be a Negro, shocking Miss Cramp. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_walls_of_jericho_se/chapters/xv) Mentioned as the employer who approves hiring Linda and is a generous man. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_walls_of_jericho_se/chapters/xvii) Mentioned as Linda's new employer, described by Shine as a 'jig' and a 'dickty' who drinks too much. ### [Walls](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_walls_of_jericho_se/chapters/walls) Represents a figure whose actions and secrets contribute to the walls between characters. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_walls_of_jericho_se/chapters/xix) Merrit's piano is being moved; his house is the setting for the accident. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_walls_of_jericho_se/chapters/xxi) Found alone in the wreckage of his home, slumped over and crying while clutching the burnt frame of his mother's portrait. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_walls_of_jericho_se/chapters/xxiii) Merrit is referenced as crying like a baby, and Shine reflects on letting him off unpunished. ### [Jericho](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_walls_of_jericho_se/chapters/jericho) Mentor or business associate, may be part of planning or partnership discussions. ### [Chapter XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_walls_of_jericho_se/chapters/xxiv) Reacts to the truth about the arson, shows racial prejudice, and offers Shine a business partnership. ### [Chapter XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_walls_of_jericho_se/chapters/xxv) Discussed by Miss Cramp, who accuses him of deceit for passing as white, reflecting the racial tensions surrounding the fire. ### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_walls_of_jericho_se/chapters/xxvi) Merrit watches Shine and Linda leave, feeling a sense of loss and reflecting on his own circumstances. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_walls_of_jericho_se/characters/fred_merrit - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_walls_of_jericho_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_walls_of_jericho_se/characters