Family's Fragile Bonds

Jojo, a thirteen-year-old boy, lives with his toddler sister Kayla and their grandparents, Mam and Pop, on a farm in Mississippi. Their mother, Leonie, is often absent, struggling with drug addiction and haunted by visions of her dead brother, Given. Mam is dying of cancer, and Pop tries to teach Jojo how to be a man. The family is fractured, with Jojo stepping into a parental role for Kayla, as Leonie is unable to provide the care they need. The story begins on Jojo's birthday, a day marked by the harsh realities of life and death as he helps Pop slaughter a goat, a rite of passage that underscores the themes of survival and familial duty.

Journey to Parchman

Leonie decides to take Jojo and Kayla on a road trip to pick up their father, Michael, from Parchman prison. The journey is fraught with tension and danger, as Leonie's friend Misty joins them, and they carry drugs hidden in the car. The trip is a physical and emotional journey through Mississippi's landscape, revealing the racial and social divides that persist. Jojo is wary of his mother's intentions and the trip's purpose, feeling the weight of responsibility for Kayla's safety. The journey to Parchman becomes a metaphor for confronting the past and the ghosts that haunt them.

Ghosts of the Past

As they travel, Jojo begins to see the ghost of Richie, a boy who died at Parchman when Pop was imprisoned there. Richie represents the unresolved trauma and history of racial violence in the South. His presence is a constant reminder of the past's grip on the present. Richie seeks closure and understanding of his death, and Jojo becomes a conduit for his story. The supernatural elements of the narrative highlight the blurred lines between the living and the dead, and the enduring impact of history on the present.

Confronting Ancestral Pain

Leonie is haunted by visions of her brother Given, who was killed in a racially motivated incident. Her drug use intensifies these visions, blurring the lines between reality and the spiritual world. As the family reaches Parchman, Leonie is forced to confront her own pain and the legacy of violence that has shaped her life. Her relationship with Michael is strained, and the trip becomes a catalyst for examining the deep-seated issues within the family. Leonie's journey is one of seeking redemption and understanding, as she grapples with her role as a mother and daughter.

A Mother's Sacrifice

Mam's health deteriorates, and she prepares for her death by seeking a spiritual connection with her ancestors. She asks Leonie to help her perform a ritual to ease her passing, highlighting the cultural and spiritual traditions that bind the family. Mam's death is a pivotal moment, forcing the family to confront their grief and the reality of their fractured relationships. Her sacrifice is an act of love, a final attempt to guide her family and impart the wisdom of their heritage. Mam's passing leaves a void, but also a legacy of resilience and hope.

The Weight of History

Pop's past at Parchman is revealed through his stories to Jojo. He carries the weight of guilt and trauma from his time there, particularly the death of Richie, whom he tried to protect. Pop's stories are a testament to the enduring impact of systemic racism and the personal cost of survival. As Jojo listens, he begins to understand the complexities of his family's history and the broader narrative of racial injustice. Pop's burden is one of memory, a reminder of the past's inescapable presence and the need for reconciliation and healing.

Seeking Redemption

Michael's release from prison brings hope for a new beginning, but also the challenge of rebuilding relationships. His return is marked by tension with Leonie and the children, as they navigate the complexities of their family dynamics. Michael seeks redemption and a chance to be a father to Jojo and Kayla, but the scars of the past linger. The family's journey is one of forgiveness and understanding, as they attempt to heal the wounds that have divided them. Michael's return is a turning point, offering the possibility of reconciliation and a future free from the shadows of the past.

The Haunting of Memory

The ghosts of the past continue to haunt the family, as Jojo grapples with the legacy of trauma and loss. Richie's presence is a reminder of the unresolved history that lingers in the present. Jojo's connection to the spiritual world deepens, as he becomes a bridge between the living and the dead. The haunting of memory is a central theme, exploring the ways in which the past shapes identity and the struggle to find peace and closure. Jojo's journey is one of self-discovery and acceptance, as he learns to carry the weight of his family's history.

A Child's Innocence

Kayla, despite her young age, is a source of light and innocence in the narrative. Her bond with Jojo is a testament to the enduring power of love and family. Kayla's presence is a reminder of the potential for healing and renewal, as she represents the future and the possibility of breaking the cycle of trauma. Her innocence is a counterpoint to the darkness that surrounds the family, offering a glimpse of hope and the promise of a better life. Kayla's role is pivotal, as she embodies the resilience and strength of the human spirit.

The Song of the Dead

The narrative culminates in a spiritual journey, as Jojo and his family confront the ghosts of their past and seek understanding and peace. The song of the dead is a metaphor for the interconnectedness of life and death, and the enduring impact of history on the present. Jojo's journey is one of growth and transformation, as he learns to navigate the complexities of his identity and heritage. The song of the dead is a call to remember and honor the past, while embracing the possibility of a future free from the burdens of history.

Characters

Jojo

Jojo is a thirteen-year-old boy who is forced to grow up quickly due to his family's circumstances. He takes on a parental role for his younger sister, Kayla, as their mother, Leonie, is often absent. Jojo is introspective and sensitive, grappling with the complexities of his family's history and the racial tensions that surround them. He is haunted by the ghost of Richie, a boy who died at Parchman prison, and becomes a conduit for Richie's story. Jojo's journey is one of self-discovery and acceptance, as he learns to navigate the challenges of his identity and heritage.

Kayla

Kayla is Jojo's toddler sister, a source of light and innocence in the narrative. Despite her young age, she is perceptive and intuitive, forming a strong bond with Jojo. Kayla represents the potential for healing and renewal, as she embodies the resilience and strength of the human spirit. Her presence is a reminder of the enduring power of love and family, offering a glimpse of hope and the promise of a better life. Kayla's role is pivotal, as she serves as a counterpoint to the darkness that surrounds the family.

Leonie

Leonie is Jojo and Kayla's mother, struggling with drug addiction and haunted by visions of her dead brother, Given. Her relationship with her children is strained, as she is unable to provide the care and stability they need. Leonie's journey is one of seeking redemption and understanding, as she grapples with her role as a mother and daughter. Her struggle with addiction and grief highlights the complexities of familial love and the enduring impact of trauma. Leonie's story is one of resilience and the search for healing and reconciliation.

Pop

Pop is Jojo and Kayla's grandfather, a steady presence in their lives. He carries the weight of guilt and trauma from his time at Parchman prison, particularly the death of Richie, whom he tried to protect. Pop's stories are a testament to the enduring impact of systemic racism and the personal cost of survival. He is a source of wisdom and guidance for Jojo, teaching him about their family's history and the broader narrative of racial injustice. Pop's burden is one of memory, a reminder of the past's inescapable presence and the need for reconciliation and healing.

Mam

Mam is Jojo and Kayla's grandmother, dying of cancer. She is a spiritual and cultural anchor for the family, imparting the wisdom of their heritage. Mam's final days are marked by a desire to connect with her ancestors and ease her passing through a ritual. Her death is a pivotal moment, forcing the family to confront their grief and the reality of their fractured relationships. Mam's sacrifice is an act of love, a final attempt to guide her family and leave a legacy of resilience and hope.

Richie

Richie is the ghost of a boy who died at Parchman prison, haunting Jojo and seeking understanding of his death. He represents the unresolved trauma and history of racial violence in the South. Richie's presence is a constant reminder of the past's grip on the present, highlighting the blurred lines between the living and the dead. His story is one of seeking closure and redemption, as he grapples with the legacy of his death and the impact of systemic racism. Richie's journey is a testament to the enduring impact of history on the present.

Michael

Michael is Jojo and Kayla's father, recently released from Parchman prison. His return brings hope for a new beginning, but also the challenge of rebuilding relationships with his family. Michael seeks redemption and a chance to be a father to Jojo and Kayla, but the scars of the past linger. His journey is one of forgiveness and understanding, as he attempts to heal the wounds that have divided his family. Michael's return is a turning point, offering the possibility of reconciliation and a future free from the shadows of the past.

Given

Given is Leonie's dead brother, killed in a racially motivated incident. His presence haunts Leonie, blurring the lines between reality and the spiritual world. Given represents the legacy of violence and trauma that has shaped the family's history. His story is one of loss and the enduring impact of racial injustice, highlighting the complexities of grief and the struggle for healing and reconciliation. Given's presence is a reminder of the past's inescapable grip on the present and the need for understanding and closure.

Plot Devices

Ghosts and Visions

The presence of ghosts and visions in the narrative highlights the enduring impact of history on the present. Richie, Given, and other spectral figures serve as reminders of unresolved trauma and the legacy of racial violence. These supernatural elements blur the lines between the living and the dead, emphasizing the interconnectedness of life and death. The ghosts and visions are a testament to the power of memory and the need for reconciliation and healing. They serve as a narrative device to explore the complexities of identity and heritage, and the struggle to find peace and closure.

Road Trip

The road trip to Parchman prison is a central plot device, serving as a metaphor for the family's journey through their past and the ghosts that haunt them. The physical journey through Mississippi's landscape reveals the racial and social divides that persist, highlighting the complexities of the family's history and the broader narrative of racial injustice. The road trip is a catalyst for examining the deep-seated issues within the family, as they confront their pain and seek understanding and redemption. It is a transformative journey, offering the possibility of healing and renewal.

Family Dynamics

The narrative explores the complexities of familial love and the enduring impact of trauma on relationships. The family's dynamics are marked by tension and conflict, as they grapple with the legacy of their past and the challenges of the present. The relationships between Jojo, Kayla, Leonie, Michael, Mam, and Pop are central to the story, highlighting the struggle for understanding and reconciliation. The family's journey is one of forgiveness and healing, as they attempt to mend the fractures that have divided them. The narrative emphasizes the power of love and the potential for renewal and hope.

Analysis

"Sing, Unburied, Sing" is a poignant exploration of race, family, and the enduring impact of history on the present. Jesmyn Ward weaves a narrative that delves into the complexities of identity and heritage, highlighting the struggle for understanding and reconciliation. The presence of ghosts and visions underscores the interconnectedness of life and death, emphasizing the power of memory and the need for healing. The road trip serves as a metaphor for the family's journey through their past, as they confront their pain and seek redemption. The narrative is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the potential for renewal and hope, offering a powerful commentary on the legacy of racial injustice and the complexities of familial love.

Last updated: April 7, 2025