Genre
Epic novel
Setting and Context
Set in Brazil in the 17th century
Narrator and Point of View
Third-person narrative
Tone and Mood
Somber and hopeless
Protagonist and Antagonist
The character is Almeyda.
Major Conflict
There is a conflict between enslaved people and plantation owners. Enslaved people who get an opportunity to escape from their owners run to Palmares, which is considered a safe refuge.
Climax
The climax comes when Almeyda travels to Palmares but realizes that some people are still enslaved.
Foreshadowing
The arrival of a black woman on the plantation foreshadowed Almeyda’s urge to travel to a refuge land.
Understatement
Slavery and its impact are understated. The slaves are not only overworked but mistreated and denied basic freedom rights.
Allusions
The story alludes to slavery and servitude in South America.
Imagery
The imagery of Palmares paints a contradictory picture in Almeyda because she sees an enslaved woman, unlike her earlier expectations.
Paradox
The main paradox is that Palmares is depicted as a haven for escapee enslaved people, but Almeyda realizes that Nobrega is enslaved.
Parallelism
N/A
Metonymy and Synecdoche
Servitude used as metonymy for slavery.
Personification
Palmares is personified as a savior.
