Washington Black

Tanna visits Wash at his house one morning and suggests that they spend the morning together. Wash is nervous to be seen alone with her and speaks to her “with a feeling of dread almost, breathless” (242). Tanna has written him a note to express her feelings, but Wash is ashamed that he cannot read well, and talks with her about the nature of freedom and slavery, arguing that slavery is “a senseless outrage” and “a savagery” (244). Tanna tells him that she will be leaving with Mr. Goff in a few weeks and that she cannot dive for any more specimens because of a broken wrist. When Wash suggests that she might want him to dive in her place, she leaves in a huff.

Wash reluctantly agrees to go diving for Tanna and Mr. Goff. Wash understands that, even though Mr. Goff respects Wash as a scientist and artist, Mr. Goff does not want Wash as a potential partner for Tanna because he is a former slave and disfigured. Wash reflects that “it did not matter that he accepted me as a thinking man, that he respected my mind, or even that he was in the midst of taking a favor from me” (248).