Roots: The Saga of an American Family

Kizzy wakes up in a shed, where a drunk white man rapes her. When Kizzy wakes again, a Black housemaid introduces herself as Malizy. Malizy is shocked that Kizzy knew both of her parents and explains that Kizzy has been bought by Tom Lea, who makes his money by chicken-fighting. There are only five Black people on the plantation: Kizzy, Malizy, Pompey, Sarah, and Mingo. Pompey, Sarah, and Kizzy work in the field, while Mingo tends to the gamecocks. Lea is married to a 14-year-old girl, who is afraid of Lea. Malizy warns Kizzy that Lea will continue to assault her and that he used to assault Malizy. Malizy suspects that Lea hopes to get Kizzy pregnant.

Kizzy becomes pregnant, and Lea assaults her less frequently. When Kizzy gives birth in 1806, Malizy tells her that multiracial children are becoming increasingly common. Lea names the child George and rapes Kizzy again, despite Kizzy telling him that she has not healed from giving birth. After Lea leaves, Kizzy thinks about her proud African father, wishing she could have named her child Kunta or Kinte, and resolves to make sure that George knows he is the grandson of a proud African man.