Lincoln in the Bardo: Chapter 64-65 Summary & Analysis

Once again, a crowd forms around the white stone home, since news of Lincoln’s return spreads quickly. “All craved the slightest participation in the transformative moment that must be imminent,” says Vollman, and Bevins notes that the souls have “abandoned any pretext of speaking one at a time,” such that there swells a great “cacophony” of voices as people launch into their stories. Before long, though, the crowd begins shouting, saying, “No, no, it [is] not appropriate,” as a number of black souls approach the group and talk to Willie. “Let them have their chance,” somebody calls out. “In this place, we are all the same.” And though this remark is met with scorn, Bevins notes that “several men and women of the sable hue” are determined to “have their say.”