In the early stages of crafting The Unvanquished, Faulkner envisioned the tales as a tapestry of adventures woven around Bayard and Ringo, first presented in The Saturday Evening Post. Among them, it becomes evident to Bayard, Granny, and John Sartoris that Ringo, though bound by the shackles of slavery, possesses a keen intellect and remarkable talent that surpass those of Bayard. With fervent resolve, Ringo aids Granny in her daring escapades, swiftly unraveling Ab's cunning schemes and machinations. His quick wit even thwarts the capture of Granny and Bayard by Union forces early in their saga. Through the vibrant characters of Bayard and Ringo, Faulkner eloquently articulates a powerful argument for the emancipation of black individuals.

In the story's early years, both boys share the same sleeping quarters at the tender age of twelve, a time when the divide between slave and master was nascent and marked by the simple experiences denied to Ringo. While Bayard indulges in coconut cake and beholds the train at Hawkhurst before the tracks are disassembled by federal forces, Ringo can only watch from the shadows of exclusion. As the tale crescendos toward its conclusion, Ringo emerges as a gifted servant, yet societal constraints stifle his full potential, whereas Bayard forges ahead, studying to become a lawyer.