This is the central chapter of the novel, relating the events which were only hinted at in the first chapter when Lena Grove arrived in town and saw the column of smoke. Earlier, we knew that Christmas had killed Joanna Burden and the intervening chapters have given the motivations and background to the crime.
The first part of the chapter deals with the complete corruption of Joanna Burden. Her and Joe's relationship went through three distinct phases. The first was the seduction which we heard about in the last chapter, then came the wild "throes of nymphomania," and finally, the third phase was Joanna's attempt to change Joe.
During the second phase, Joanna, in the excitement of her sexual relationship with Joe would often cry "Negro! Negro!" emphasizing that she particularly enjoys being corrupted by someone with Negro blood. Thus, in spite of her heritage, which should have conditioned her to accept the Negro as equal, this cry suggests that again Joe is not being accepted as a person of equality. This in itself modifies his relationship with Joanna.
