Genre
Social novel, historical fiction.
Setting and Context
During Reconstruction period and the “women’s era”; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Narrator and Point of View
Third-person narration
Tone and Mood
In story prevails optimistic tone, sometimes sorrow but still full of hope and determination.
Protagonist and Antagonist
The protagonists of the story are Leroy family and all people who are struggling against the slavery and antagonists are people who want to keep the slavery Dr. Gresham, Lorraine.
Major Conflict
The major conflict stands in contradiction between anti-slavery movements and American society.
Climax
Climax happens when Iola rejects to marry Dr. Gresham because she doesn’t want to marry white man.
Foreshadowing
N/A
Understatement
In the story the role money and power is understated.
Allusions
The story alludes to historical events during the period of Civil war and “woman era” in 1890s.
Imagery
N/A
Paradox
N/A
Parallelism
The story has parallels with social stereotypes, prejudices, racism, abolitionism and other social movements and ideas, special for that time.
Metonymy and Synecdoche
The author uses metonymy and synecdoche to reinforce the importance of the utterance in its social context: “Contraband of war”, “white folks is done fussin' and beatin' de cullud folks”.
Personification
The author uses personification for irony and social satire description: “Mrs. Johnson had taught him to read on the same principle she would have taught a pet animal amusing tricks”.
