Hostility between African Americans
When Joey brings John home, their cook Tillie treats him rather coldly, though she is black herself! It seems that representatives of the same race should stand for each other, but Tillie is really hostile to John. She even breaks into the room when he is alone and gives him a short monologue in which she lets him understand that she does not trust him at all, and if he hurt Joey in any way, she would make his life miserable. Such a relationship between people of the same race shows that individual human attitudes matter, and within the same race there also exist many issues.
Naïve Girl
Joey, being very resolute and stubborn, is at the same time very naïve. She does not even consider the possibility that her marriage with a black-skinned person may bring any troubles. She does not think about the future, or the future of their children. It will be really difficult for them to live in a world where so many do not support marriages between people of different races. But there is beauty in her naivety—it is her faith in their love that smooths it. The irony is that her naivety holds wisdom.
Daughter is like Mother
When Christina’s friend Hilda comes for a visit, she gives her a rather direct lecture in private showing that she does not support the marriage of Christina’s daughter with a black man. Hilda also behaves very provocative in front of Joey and John, which shows her disapproval. Christina sees her off the house and tells her get to the gallery (it is Christina’s gallery, and Hilda just runs it), write out a check for five thousand dollars, and go away as she is fired. When Christina returns to Joey and John her daughter demands to fire Hilda, as she has behaved very coldly with John. Christina tells her no to be so cruel, and does not tell that Hilda is already fired, as Christina herself cannot bear anyone giving her advice concerning the people she loves. Joey shows the same resolution when it comes to the people she loves.
