At the age of fourteen, the protagonist leaves his home behind, abandoning the cold and dreary kitchen house, never to return. He ventures westward towards Memphis, becoming a solitary figure in a vast, pastoral environment marked by the labor of others. The unyielding landscape witnesses the struggles of those working the fields, highlighting the difficult lives of black laborers among the cotton bolls, evoking a sense of deep-rooted pain and suffering.

The narrative captures the stark imagery of a declining day, as shadows stretch across the horizon and a lone farmer continues his work under the fading light. This portrayal emphasizes the relentless nature of toil against the backdrop of a darkening world, symbolizing the harsh realities faced by those who work the land. The commitment to a life of labor, even in the face of overwhelming adversity, underscores the resilience found within these desolate settings.