The character Joe is first called "George" by "Rit". I know at the time (the 30's and 40's) many people that it was witty to call Pullman Car Conductors (who were almost all African-American) George, no matter what their name was. There was actually a liberal society against this racist practice. I wonder is "Rit" calls him George for this reason, or if he just didn't know his name. Anyone?
shareI believe Joe was just his nickname, considering his character is listed as George "Joe" Spencer and he also named his son George.
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Joe was also a generic name much like Guy, Bubba, Dude, etc is use now days. An example is the universal G.I. Joe, use to describe the common soldier.
Yes, you are right. Don't believe the other answers.
He first calls him George for the reason you mentioned, and then :
- Uh, George?
- Call me Joe.
- Is your name Joe?
- Yes, sir.
- Very well. Joe it is.
Joe was his name.
From trivia:
"When Rittenhouse referred to Joe as George, Joe said that he preferred to be called by his real name. George was a standard nickname for all black attendants, originating from the black servants on the Pullman passenger trains who were called George after the owner George Pullman."