Genre
A novel
Setting and Context
The place is New York, 1776. The settings include battles in the American Revolution.
Narrator and Point of View
The story is revealed by the first person. The narrator is Isabel.
Tone and Mood
The tone is dramatic and realistic, while the mood is depressed and hopeless.
Protagonist and Antagonist
The protagonist is Isabel; the antagonist is Mrs. Lockton.
Major Conflict
The major conflict concerns the slavery issue.
Climax
The climax comes in the end of the novel when Isabel dares to run away from her masters.
Foreshadowing
In the very beginning of the story, when Isabel finds out that Mr. Finch is not going to let them go, she realizes that her life is getting harder. This foreshadows for her and Ruth many severe trials.
Understatement
The spirit of the rebels is understated.
Allusions
The novel alludes to many events of the American Revolution for Independence, like the battle at Trenton, the fire of New York in the autumn of 1776, the invasion of the British troops. Also it contains allusions to literature such as Defoe’s ‘Robinson Crusoe’ as well as Thomas Paine’s ‘Common Sense’.
Imagery
The images of the war are vividly depicted.
Paradox
One paradox is the fact that Isabel herself cares little for the Revolution, as freedom of America does not mean freedom for her, but she, nevertheless, sympathetically treats the rebels.
Parallelism
The events of the Revolution and events of Isabel’s life are narrated in parallels.
Metonymy and Synecdoche
“All types and colors swarmed the deck, carrying casks and chests down the gangplank” (‘all types and colors’ is metonymy for men).
“Shabbywig leaned forward and pointed his finger at ink stains” (‘shabbywig’ is metonymy for the person)
Personification
“A handful of lazy stars still blinked in the west” (‘stars’ are personified)
“The morning mist twisted and hung low over the field” (‘mist’ is personified)
