# XXII: Further Lifting of the Veil explained — Iola Leroy

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

## What happens

Harry Leroy, searching for his sister Iola, attends a Methodist conference where she is introduced by the bishop. Recognizing each other, they reunite joyfully. Harry then brings Iola to their mother Marie, and the family shares a heartfelt reunion. Iola recounts her harrowing experiences during slavery and her search for her mother's brother, whom she believes she has found through a wounded soldier she nursed.

## Themes in this chapter

### Family and Reunion

The chapter centers on the emotional reunions of Iola with her brother Harry and mother Marie, highlighting the deep bonds of family after years of separation.

### Slavery and Freedom

Iola recounts her enslavement and brutal treatment, and her liberation by the Union army, underscoring the transition from bondage to freedom.

### Resistance and Agency

Iola's active search for her family and her work as a nurse in the hospital demonstrate her resilience and agency in the face of adversity.

## Character check-ins

### Harry Leroy

Attends the Methodist conference in search of his sister Iola; recognizes and reunites with her.

### Iola Leroy

Introduced at the conference as the daughter of a Mississippi planter; reunited with her brother Harry and later with her mother Marie.

### Marie Leroy

Reunites with her son Harry after he is wounded in battle; later joyfully reunited with Iola at the depot.

### Robert Johnson

Mentioned as the friend of Iola who reported her case to the commander; Iola attended him in his last illness.

## Key lines

> I can," exclaimed a young man, rising in the midst of the audience, and pressing eagerly, almost impetuously, forward. "I am her brother, and I came here to look for her."

A young man stands up and announces that he is Iola's brother, having come to the conference specifically to find her.

_Harry Leroy identifies himself as Iola's brother and steps forward to reunite with her._

> Iola raised her eyes to his face, so flushed and bright with the glow of recognition, rushed to him, threw her arms around his neck, kissed him again and again, crying: "O, Harry!" Then she fainted from excitement.

Iola looks up, recognizes Harry, and embraces him repeatedly, calling his name before fainting from the overwhelming emotion.

_The emotional reunion between Iola and Harry at the conference._

> Long before the cars reached the city, Mrs. Leroy was at the depot, restlessly walking the platform or eagerly peering into the darkness to catch the first glimpse of the train which was bearing her treasures.

Marie Leroy waits anxiously at the train station long before the train arrives, eager to see her children.

_Marie's anticipation and joy at the reunion with her children._

> I have passed through a fiery ordeal of suffering since then. But it is useless," and as she continued her face assumed a brighter look, "to brood over the past. Let us be happy in the present.

Iola acknowledges her painful past but chooses to focus on the happiness of the present moment.

_Iola's determination to move forward despite her traumatic experiences._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/iola_leroy_se/chapters/xxii-further-lifting-of-the-veil
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/iola_leroy_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/iola_leroy_se/chapters