Genre
African-American Literature
Setting and Context
Harlem during the Second World War
Narrator and Point of View
The novel is narrated by multiple characters, as it switches perspective in each chapter.
Tone and Mood
The tone is hopeful; the mood is optimistic.
Protagonist and Antagonist
Lutie is the protagonist; Jim is the antagonist.
Major Conflict
The major conflict of the novel occurs when Lutie gives birth to her baby son, Bub, as she now as another person that she must support.
Climax
The climax of the story is reached when Jones becomes obsesses sexually over Lutie as his girlfriend is unattractive so he feels sexually frustrated.
Foreshadowing
The befriending of Bub is foreshadowed by Jones' desire to get closer to Lutie.
Understatement
The role of sexual violence is understated throughout the novel.
Allusions
The story alludes to the changing sexual revolution in Harlem at the time.
Imagery
The imagery of grotty brothels is present in the novel.
Paradox
N/A
Parallelism
There is a parallel between the time that Junto has spent with Mrs Hedges and the attraction that he has towards her.
Metonymy and Synecdoche
The used needles are a metonym for the broken and abused women in Harlem.
Personification
N/A
