55 pages 1 hour read

Marlon James

Black Leopard, Red Wolf

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2019

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Part 4

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 4: “White Science, Black Math”

Part 4, Chapter 18 Summary

Tracker watches Mossi train with two swords. The griot lord takes out a musical instrument (a kora) and plays while Sogolon and Venin ride to the west. His song is about “a lover” (396) and written in italics. Overcome with emotion, Tracker goes outside.

He sees Sadogo making a bed on the roof because of his sleeping problems. Sadogo reports that Venin’s attitude has changed; she isn’t obeying Sogolon and insulted him. Then, Tracker and Sadogo talk about the Ipundulu and the “bewitched” (401) boy traveling with him, as well as the Aesi and the mingi. Also, Tracker takes in Sadogo’s scent.

Venin and Sogolon return, arguing, and Tracker tells Sogolon about the griot’s love song. Sogolon shares a story about the King killing griots because song has the power to tell truths and seed dissention.

The next morning, a crying Sadogo awakens Tracker because the griot walked off the roof. They take the body to tall grass, and while saying farewell, birds (hornbills) attack them. Sadogo and Tracker run back to the house and see hundreds of birds fly away with the griot’s body.

Back on the road, Mossi and Tracker ride the

blurred text

blurred text

Related Titles

By Marlon James

Plot Summary

logo

A Brief History of Seven Killings

Marlon James

A Brief History of Seven Killings

Marlon James

Study Guide

logo

Moon Witch, Spider King

Marlon James

Moon Witch, Spider King

Marlon James

Study Guide

logo

The Book of Night Women

Marlon James

The Book of Night Women

Marlon James