# XIX: Striking Contrasts explained — Iola Leroy

> Chapter companion for Iola Leroy by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper.

## What happens

Robert and Iola visit Aunt Linda's home for supper, where they reunite with Uncle Daniel and meet Aunt Linda's husband, Salters. The gathering is filled with reminiscences of slavery and the war, discussions on freedom, racial progress, and the challenges facing Black Americans. Iola expresses her determination to find her mother, and the chapter contrasts the past hardships with the present joys of freedom and reunion.

## Themes in this chapter

### Family and Reunion

The chapter centers on reunions: Robert with Uncle Daniel, Salters with Linda, and Iola's quest to find her mother.

### Slavery and Freedom

Characters reflect on the horrors of slavery and the joys and responsibilities of freedom, including name changes and family reconnections.

### Racial Prejudice and Caste

Discussion of lynching, unequal justice, and the need for Black Americans to fight against new forms of oppression.

## Character check-ins

### Iola Leroy

Accompanies Robert to Aunt Linda's; feels restful and motherly comfort; determined to find her mother.

### Robert Johnson

Reunites with Uncle Daniel and meets Salters; discusses freedom, racial equality, and the challenges ahead.

### Linda

Hosts the supper; proud of her freedom and cooking; reveals her marriage to Salters and history of separation.

### Uncle Daniel

Reunites with Robert; recalls old times; continues preaching and defends his experiential theology.

### John Salters

Aunt Linda's husband; formerly John Andrews; changed his name after slavery; proud of his grandson and of Ben's success.

## Key lines

> Robby, seein’ yer an’ hearin’ yer talk, almos’ puts new springs inter me. I feel ’mos’ like I war gittin’ younger.

Seeing and hearing you, Robby, almost rejuvenates me. I feel like I'm getting younger.

_Uncle Daniel expresses how Robert's presence and conversation invigorate him._

> All de use I’se got fer dat name is ter git my money wid it; an’ wen dat’s done, all’s done. Got ’nuff ob my ole Marster in slave times, widout wearin’ his name in freedom.

I only use that name to collect my money; once that's done, I'm done with it. I had enough of my old master during slavery without carrying his name into freedom.

_Salters explains why he changed his name from John Andrews to Salters after emancipation._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/iola_leroy_se/chapters/xix-striking-contrasts
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/iola_leroy_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/iola_leroy_se/chapters