Elijah of Buxton

Names and identity are motifs in the novel, and symbolically they contribute to the theme of opportunity, equality, and freedom. Names and identity represent individuality, free thinking, and choice.

Sammy, whom Elijah meets at the carnival, tells Elijah about another Elijah who lives in Chatham. According to Sammy, Elijah of Chatham detests boys’ having names even slightly like his. Late in the novel, Elijah calls himself “Elijah of Buxton” when Mrs. Chloe asks him his name. Specifying his town lends his name an individualized identity, one that no one will confuse with the Chatham Elijah.

Mr. Leroy carves a wood plank that commemorates the life of Mrs. Holton’s husband, whose name, John Holton, appears on the second line. When she sees the sign, Mrs. Holton is happy with Elijah’s revision of the inscription and thinks Mr. Leroy’s carving makes the plank “look important” (218). Though her husband is no longer living, the inscription associates his name with the power of the spirit.

MaWee has no power or choice as a slave, but when Sir Charles bestows the name MaWee on Jimmy Blassingame, the substitute for the slingshot show, the real MaWee feels helpless and worried. All MaWee has in his carnival life is his name and identity.