The planned revolt that Kunta and his fellow slaves plan to raise is described in Chapter 38 of this text. In the previous chapters, Kunta describes the process of how the slaves, even though they come from different tribes and areas of Africa, have slowly become one community, united in their position and hatred of the white men who treat them so terribly. In Chapter 38, the planned rebellion receives new impetus when the women share the news of having successfully stolen a few knives and other things that the men can use in their uprising. The killing of Wolof by the white men further gives the slaves cause for an imminent rebellion. Note what Kunta thinks and feels as he watches Wolof being killed:

Among the torrent of thoughts and emotions that assailed Kunta when his terror had subsided long enough for him to think at all was the feeling that he wasn't alone in admiring the courage of the Wolof, who had died as a warrior was supposed to.

Wolof's bravery in striking out at the white men and killing two of them shows up Kunta's own feelings of cowardice and inspires him to fight. However, even though Kunta and the other slaves finally agree when their rebellion should start, unfortunately a powerful storm interferes in their plans, and the many slaves that die as a result of the hold flooding mean that there is no more thought of an uprising.