Freedom as a Carrot (simile)
In Part 1, Hero describes the promise of his freedom as a carrot dangled before him by the Boss-Master. Hero refers to the promise as “a beautiful carrot” that is glittering and enticing but ultimately elusive. This simile highlights the illusory nature of the freedom promised to Hero by his master. Like a carrot being dangled in front of a mule to keep it moving, the promise of freedom is meant to motivate Hero to serve in the war. The image of the carrot reflects the cruelty of the system of slavery, where freedom is presented as a possibility. The carrot also suggests the manipulative tactics of the master to keep Hero in bondage even as he dangles the hope of liberty. This metaphor underscores the precariousness of Hero’s position and the psychological manipulation in the institution of slavery.
Hero as a Dog (metaphor)
Throughout the play, Hero is repeatedly compared to a dog, both by other characters and implicitly through his actions. For instance, the Confederate Colonel and Smith discuss Hero’s loyalty, which likens him to a dog that follows orders without question. The comparison of Hero to a dog serves as a metaphor for his dehumanized status under slavery. It strips individuals of their autonomy and reduces them to a status comparable to animals. He grapples with whether to act as a loyal servant or to assert his humanity by making his own choices. The metaphor of the dog also connects to Hero’s actual dog, Odd-See, whose disappearance is symbolic of Hero’s growing disillusionment with the promises of his master.
The War as a Wilderness (metaphor)
The setting of Part 2 is in the wilderness—a wooded area where Hero, the Colonel, and Smith find themselves during the war. It functions as a metaphor for the chaotic and morally ambiguous nature of the Civil War and Hero’s journey within it. For Hero, this wilderness is a psychological and spiritual one—he is caught between conflicting loyalties. It mirrors the larger national conflict of the Civil War where the lines between right and wrong, freedom and bondage, and loyalty and betrayal, are constantly shifting. In this metaphorical wilderness, Hero must navigate treacherous terrain—both literally and figuratively—as he struggles to define his identity and find a path to true freedom.
Sweating like the Old Folks (simile)
Penny describes how Hero would look if he worked in the fields while wearing the Confederate uniform. She says, "You’ll be sweating like the old folks do when they see a holy miracle." This simile connects Hero’s physical state to the emotional intensity experienced by people witnessing a spiritual event. It suggests an exaggerated and sacred response, which ironically contrasts with the grim reality of Hero’s labor. The simile highlights the absurdity of Hero wearing a Confederate uniform while performing mundane tasks like plowing. Therefore, it reinforces the contradiction of a Black man donning the symbols of the very system that enslaves him. Penny’s use of this simile hints at the miraculous endurance required of Hero in the face of his oppression.
Knife through Butter (simile)
Hero describes the ease with which a knife might cut through flesh with the phrase "It’ll fall like a knife through butter." This simile is a striking image of the brutal reality of violence and injury during wartime. The comparison of a knife cutting through human flesh to a knife cutting through butter conveys the inevitability of violence in Hero’s world. It is a chilling reminder of the physical dangers Hero faces as an enslaved man subject to the whims of his master. Thus, it reflects Hero’s desensitization to violence with the line between life and death becomes easily crossed.
