Julian Chestny Timeline and Summary
MoreJulian Chestny Timeline and Summary
- Julian waits for his mother to put on her hideous hat so he can accompany her to the Y.
- Soon, Julian loses patience and walks out the door.
- Once outside, his mother wants to return the hat and he tells her to "shut up and enjoy it" (13).
- He gets into an argument with her about integration and their family history of owning slaves.
- When they reach the bus stop, Julian takes off his tie to upset his mother … but then he puts it back on when she insists.
- On the bus, Julian sits next to his mother and pretends to read a newspaper to avoid speaking with the other white passengers.
- A large, well-dressed black man gets on the bus, and Julian sits next to him. Why? Duh, to upset his mother.
- Julian asks the man for matches, even though he doesn't smoke.
- A black mother and son get on the bus. Ha! She's wearing the same hat as his mother.
- When they're about to leave the bus, he realizes his mother will try to give money to Carver.
- He panics and tells her not to do it.
- Carver's mother hits Julian's mother and he tells her that she "got exactly what you deserved" (104).
- Julian finally sees that his mother is not okay when she falls to the ground again.
- He runs into the darkness, screaming for help.