The Reformatory
by Tananarive Due
Contents
Chapter 32
Overview
Trying to save Redbone from the Box, Robert follows Blue’s instructions and attempts to summon Henry Jackson at the old well, but fear, interference, and uncertainty make him fail in front of Boone and Haddock. The failed ghost hunt exposes how completely Robert and Redbone are trapped by the Reformatory’s violence, because Boone punishes Redbone immediately while Haddock tightens his control.
When Henry Jackson finally appears only after Redbone has been taken away, the chapter turns Robert’s guilt into a lasting loss. Redbone’s disappearance marks a major emotional and narrative shift, deepening Robert’s isolation and raising the stakes of every future decision about escape, loyalty, and survival.
Summary
Robert and Redbone wait by the old well behind the slaughterhouse, hoping to summon Henry Jackson, the dead man Blue told Robert to find. Robert is frightened by the place itself, by the nearby killing of a hog, and by the pressure of needing a ghost to appear before suppertime so Redbone can avoid punishment. They call Henry Jackson’s full name, and Robert briefly sees a tall Black man among the cedars, but the moment is interrupted and the figure vanishes before Robert can be sure where he stood.
Crutcher discovers the boys near the well and angrily orders them away, dismissing their ghost hunt as disruptive nonsense. At dinner, the strain between Robert and Redbone worsens because Redbone wants a backup plan if Henry Jackson does not appear. Redbone realizes that Robert has been hiding Blue’s likely location in the shower room and argues that Robert owes him the choice to betray Blue if the Box becomes unbearable. Robert cannot bring himself to offer Blue, and Boone’s appearance at the doorway cuts the conversation short.
That evening Robert and Redbone return to the well with Boone, followed by a crowd of boys and then Warden Haddock. Under pressure, Robert names Henry Jackson, which surprises Haddock and Boone and confirms that Henry was once an inmate who tried to escape. Boone places ghost-catching dust on the well cover, but nothing happens. Forced to improvise, Robert claims Henry stood among the cedar trees and leads Boone and Haddock to an uncertain spot.
Boone lays more dust on paper at the place Robert indicates, while Haddock watches and the other boys wait in fearful silence. Again the trap fails. Haddock expresses cold disappointment, and Boone, who has already threatened Redbone, orders Robert back to the dorm. When Robert pleads, Boone violently seizes Redbone and takes him away toward the Box, while Redbone tells Robert not to speak further and not to betray Blue.
Left alone in grief and guilt, Robert breaks down beside the slaughterhouse. Only then does Henry Jackson finally appear clearly at the edge of the cedar grove, singing in a low dead voice before vanishing. Robert runs to mark the spot with his shoelace, realizing he was too late when it mattered. He calls for Blue all night, but Blue never comes, and Robert never sees Redbone again.
Who Appears
- Robert Stephenstries to summon Henry Jackson to save Redbone, fails publicly, and is devastated by Redbone’s loss
- Redbonewaits fearfully for rescue from punishment, presses Robert for a backup plan, and is taken away by Boone
- Boonetests Robert’s claims with ghost dust, threatens both boys, and drags Redbone off for punishment
- Warden Haddockarrives to watch the ghost hunt, recognizes Henry Jackson’s name, and coldly oversees Robert’s failure
- Henry Jacksondead former inmate Robert tries to trap; he appears too late to help and vanishes again
- Crutcherinterrupts the boys at the well, dismisses their efforts, and later warns Robert against defying Haddock