Near the beginning of the book, Titch sends for Wash to help him conduct his scientific experiments, and Wash and Big Kit are separated for the first and final time. Fearing that Titch might rape or sexually abuse Wash, Big Kit presses a long nail into Wash’s fist, telling him to stab Titch in the eye with it if necessary. This makeshift weapon is an illicit act, one in which Big Kit and Wash conspire to potentially harm their white master. When Wash brings the nail to his meeting with Titch, Titch immediately notices and takes the nail without comment. At the end of the evening, however, Titch hands the nail back to him, allowing Wash to keep it under his bed for safekeeping.

The nail represents illicit resistance and revolt in the face of oppression and the violence of slavery and sexual assault. Even though Wash and Big Kit know that the nail could be a death sentence for either of them, Big Kit is determined to protect her son, and Wash wants to protect his own life. Nevertheless, the nail is an inadequate weapon in a world where white men can do whatever they please to black children, and possess knives, guns, whips, and a variety of other implements with which to accomplish the task.