Genre
Historical fiction
Setting and Context
America in the 20th Century
Narrator and Point of View
The novel contains the point of view of many characters, primarily Hickman and Bliss.
Tone and Mood
The tone of this novel is thoughtful and sometimes somber.
Protagonist and Antagonist
The protagonist is Hickman, and the antagonist is Senator Sunraider.
Major Conflict
The major conflict of this novel is the struggle of African-Americans living in American society.
Climax
The climax of the novel is Bliss's death at the end.
Foreshadowing
The black car foreshadows the death of Bliss.
Understatement
Hickman understates how he might feel about Bliss once he is born.
Allusions
The title of this novel refers to an American holiday that commemorates the emancipation of slaves.
Imagery
The imagery of the black car is used to represent the death of Bliss.
Paradox
Although Hickman pledges to kill Bliss due to what happened to his brother, once Bliss is born he is filled with a desire to protect the child.
Parallelism
The perspectives and memories of Bliss and Hickman are paralleled throughout the novel.
Metonymy and Synecdoche
N/A
Personification
N/A
