Across Five Aprils

The last battle of the novel does boast a Union victory. The tone, however, is not one of triumph, but rather a tone that concedes the challenges to come. The migration of former slaves, their inability to find work in the North, the resentment of Northern workers, who fought for the Union and have no wish to lose their jobs. These challenges include the conflicts still festering between governent officials. In my opinion, the tone one that speaks to uncertainty and bolstered by hope.