Iola Leroy · Chapter
XI: The Plague and the Law explained
Years pass without major change for Leroy and Marie, who remain concerned about their children's social isolation due to racial prejudice.
What happens
Years pass without major change for Leroy and Marie, who remain concerned about their children's social isolation due to racial prejudice. Leroy discusses the growing national tensions over slavery and secession with Marie, and his cousin Alfred Lorraine visits, revealing his pro-slavery, secessionist views. Marie expresses her dread of Lorraine. Leroy and Marie then travel North, but Leroy contracts yellow fever and dies, leaving Marie widowed and returning to a grief-stricken household.
Themes in this chapter
Racial Prejudice and Caste
Marie and Leroy discuss the social isolation their children face due to racial prejudice, and the controversy over a colored girl in Iola's school highlights the paralyzing power of caste.
Slavery and Freedom
Leroy's ambivalence about slavery and his gradual emancipation views contrast with Lorraine's pro-slavery extremism; the political debate over slavery's expansion is central.
Family and Reunion
Leroy's death disrupts the family; Marie returns home with Gracie, and the family's future is uncertain.
Characters to notice
- Eugene Leroy
Discusses national politics and secession with Marie; dies of yellow fever while traveling North.
- Marie Leroy
Expresses dread of Alfred Lorraine; becomes widowed after Leroy's death from yellow fever.
- Alfred Lorraine
Visits Leroy; a rank Secessionist who advocates extreme measures, including reopening the slave trade.
- Iola Leroy
Mentioned in a letter about a controversy over a colored girl in her school; she feels sorry for the girl.
- Harry Leroy
Attending school in Maine; his father writes to him about plans to come North.
- Gracie
Returns home with Marie after Leroy's death.
- Mam Liza
Grieves upon learning of Marse Eugene's death.
Key passages
“I have left you well provided for. Kiss the children for me and bid them goodbye.”
Leroy tells Marie that he has made financial arrangements for her and asks her to say goodbye to the children for him.
Leroy's final words to Marie before dying of yellow fever.
“There is something about your cousin that fills me with nameless dread. I always feel when he enters the room as if someone were walking over my grave.”
Marie tells Leroy that his cousin Alfred Lorraine makes her feel deeply uneasy and fearful.
Marie's intuitive fear of Lorraine foreshadows future trouble.
“I believe that if you were gone he wouldn't have the least scruple against trying to prove our marriage invalid and remanding us to slavery.”
Marie fears that if Leroy dies, Lorraine would try to invalidate their marriage and enslave her and her children.
Marie's fear of Lorraine's potential actions after Leroy's death.