Hero’s Torn Confederate Uniform
In the first part, Hero receives scraps of a Confederate uniform from the Boss Master to wear if he chooses to go to war. The uniform is described as "scraps" and pieces rather than an intact garment, which emphasizes its inadequate state. Hero’s torn Confederate uniform serves as a powerful symbol of Hero’s conflicted identity. The uniform represents the Confederate cause, which upholds the institution of slavery. For Hero, a Black man and a slave, wearing the uniform of the Confederacy is an embodiment of the paradox he faces—fighting for a cause that fundamentally oppresses him. The fact that Hero receives only pieces of the uniform highlights his fragmented state of being. As part of the white man’s war machine yet denied full humanity and dignity. It also foreshadows Hero’s internal battle between loyalty and the longing for freedom.
Odd-See, the Dog
Odd-See becomes a significant image in the first part. Described as being loyal, always following Hero, and being his "good luck charm," the dog runs away after Hero kicks him. The absence of Odd-See as he faces the decision of whether to go to war is emphasized by several characters who note that Odd-See’s disappearance is an ominous sign. The imagery of Odd-See serves as a reflection of Hero’s inner state. Odd-See represents loyalty, innocence, and companionship—qualities that Hero embodies at the beginning of the play as he contemplates going to war out of loyalty to his master. However, kicking the dog mirrors the internal violence Hero feels toward himself. The dog's running away is more than just the loss of a pet—it indicates the fracturing of Hero’s sense of loyalty and identity.
The Sun's Rise
The sun’s impending rise is discussed in terms of time running out. Characters speculate about when the sun will come up, and how much time they have left before Hero must make his decision. It becomes a marker of change and inevitability. The characters’ continual references to the sun’s rise suggest that the dawn will bring clarity and revelation. For Hero, the sun’s rise highlights the decisive moment—whether he will go to war or stay behind. The sun reflects the inexorable march toward a new reality, regardless of Hero’s preparedness or desire to avoid it. It highlights the play’s preoccupation with moral clarity and the consequences of decisions made in the light of day.
The Cage
In part two, Smith, a Union soldier who has been captured by a Confederate Colonel, is kept in a makeshift wooden cage. The imagery of the cage is a recurring visual throughout this part of the play. This cage is a representation of confinement, not only for Smith but also for Hero, who is bound by an invisible yet equally oppressive cage. For Smith, the cage denotes the literal imprisonment by the Confederacy. However, this imagery also indicates the broader constraints of war, violence, and societal norms that trap individuals on all sides of the conflict. The cage imagery reinforces themes of power and subjugation, with the Confederate Colonel exerting control over Smith and Hero’s fate.
