High School Diploma: This is symbolic of his academic achievement and his continuation on to college.
Tod Clifton's Sambo Doll: This is reflective of the long history of African Americans in black face and performing as happy and smiling figures. The Sambo figure also represents a long history and tradition of masking. This smile functions as a veil hiding the true feelings of the person behind the mask. .
Mary's Broken Bank: This is also an extension of the Sambo figure. It is a smiling black man who stuffs money into his mouth when a coin is dropped in the bank. While the image is a part of American history, images like these serve to humiliate African Americans by presenting them as less intelligent, greedy, and emotionless.
Brother Tarp's Leg Chain: This chain symbolizes the numerous years of persecution that many African Americans faced after slavery. Many have called the chain gang a form of continued slavery after Emancipation and Brother Tarp's struggle recalls that.
The anonymous letter and his Brotherhood name: These two documents, both written by Jack, represent the change of identity for the protagonist and the Brotherhood's ultimate betrayal of