Detective Nicholas Rey Research Paper

As a mulatto in the late 19th century, Detective Nicholas Rey faced discrimination from both white and black society. He was assigned the case of solving the serial killings, but could do little to actually solve them given the materials at his disposal. The police department gave him the title of detective yet didn’t allow him the tools a detective would need to solve a case. He was not even given a weapon to carry. The police likely knew the case was possibly dangerous and very difficult so they shoved it off onto someone whom they did not care if they failed. Rey was used to working hard to get past the setbacks that society threw his way so he dove into the case, ready to solve it.

At the beginning of the novel as he looks into the vagabond that jumped out the window, people make crude remarks at him

and even assume that he must have somehow been involved. (Pearl 26) The detective works to figure out the connection of the man jumping out the window and the murders that took place. In doing so he is lead to the Dante club which he eventually allies himself with. Together they solve the murder. Pearl shows the effect the triumph has had on Rey as he illustrates that by the end of the novel he is even consulted for advice. (362) After the success of his case solving, he earns some respect of his peers at the police department. The case was assigned to him in the first place almost as a trap. The idea was to set him up for failure so that he could be blamed when it didn’t pan out correctly.
Despite the ill intentions of the police force not only to set Rey up for failure, but even put him in a dangerous situation, Rey managed to rise above.

Growing up in Boston amid the events of the civil war and the emancipation of the slaves, Rey had to deal with much racism and discrimination. He was looked down upon by the blacks for being part white and he was looked down upon by the white for being part black. He had to have worked very hard to get into the position that he held at the police department. He had to deal with others not respecting his innate authority. (329) No matter how many times he was punched down literally and figuratively, he stood strong and persevered to figure out who the killer was. The resolution of the plot where the killer was found mid-murder, showed that Rey was able to prevent disaster from recurring. His capabilities were realized by the case’s close. Pearl illustrates good character development from Rey as he goes from completely disrespected and unequal, to mildly respected although not fully equal. The case allowed him a step in the right direction toward actually getting the authority his job title should have given

him.