Genre
History
Setting and Context
Detroit, Michigan, in the United States during the 1920s
Narrator and Point of View
Arc of Justice is told from the third-person perspective of an unnamed narrator.
Tone and Mood
The novel is historic, energetic, reverent, and courageous.
Protagonist and Antagonist
Ossian Sweet is the novel's protagonist and racism is the novel's antagonist
Major Conflict
The conflict between Ossian Sweet and fellow Black people and racism is at the center of Arc of Justice.
Climax
When Ossian and his brother are found "not guilty" by the second jury.
Foreshadowing
Ossian being found not guilty by the second jury is foreshadowed by the first jury's verdict.
Understatement
The effect that racism has on Black people is initially understated in the novel, but is then fully explored towards the end of the novel.
Allusions
There are a number of allusions to real-life things like the history of the United States during the 1920s, jazz music and jazz culture, the history of racism in the United States, to Ossian's story, and to the U.S. justice system.
Imagery
Imagery surrounding racism and things like the Klu Klux Klan becomes more prevalent as Ossian lives his life.
Paradox
People in the U.S. claim to be accepting, but engage in violent and racist activities.
Parallelism
n/a
Metonymy and Synecdoche
"Motor City" is metonym for Detroit, Michigan.
Personification
The NAACP is personified throughout the novel.
