Chapters III and IV Summary

In chapter three, Jake wanders around on the streets of Harlem and goes into Uncle Doc's saloon. There he sees Zeddy Plummer, a man he knows from the US Army in France. Zeddy has not seen Jake since Jake deserted in Brest, France. Zeddy understands why Jake deserted, since Zeddy also only did menial work and did not get to fight the Germans. Jake and Zeddy play pool and then go to Aunt Hattie's joint to eat. The men talk more about their experiences in Europe, and Jake tells of how he ended up in England before returning home. Zeddy admits that the only men he fought were the white soldiers from his own army. Jake tells how he worked on the West India Docks in London and lived with a white woman. Zeddy warns Jake to...