# Conclusion explained — Iola Leroy

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

## What happens

The final chapter depicts the settled lives of the main characters after the war. Dr. Latimer and Iola establish a home in North Carolina, where Iola becomes a teacher and community leader. Harry and Lucille marry and run a school. Robert moves his family to North Carolina, buys a plantation, and sells homesteads to poor laborers, fostering their prosperity. The chapter emphasizes themes of uplift, family reunion, and the peaceful aftermath of struggle.

## Themes in this chapter

### Family and Reunion

The chapter culminates in the peaceful reunion of the Leroy and Johnson families, with Robert, Marie, and Grandmother Johnson living together in North Carolina.

### Education and Uplift

Iola teaches Sunday-school and holds mothers' meetings; Harry and Lucille run a school; Robert's land sales promote economic uplift.

### Love and Marriage

The chapter celebrates the marriages of Iola and Dr. Latimer and Harry and Lucille, portraying them as foundations for happy and productive lives.

## Character check-ins

### Iola Leroy

Now married to Dr. Latimer, she settles in North Carolina, teaches Sunday-school, holds mothers' meetings, and becomes a beloved community figure.

### Dr. Frank Latimer

Known as the 'Good Doctor,' he practices medicine, promotes citizenship, and leads reform movements in the community.

### Harry Leroy

Marries Lucille Delany and co-heads a large school, dedicating himself to the education and uplift of the people.

### Miss Lucille Delany

Marries Harry Leroy and continues her teaching work, bringing her experience to the school they lead together.

### Robert Johnson

Sells his business, moves to North Carolina with his mother and sister, buys a plantation, and sells homesteads to poor laborers, fostering their progress.

### Marie Leroy

Lives with Robert in North Carolina, remains frail but helpful, and is described as having a sweet and dignified presence.

## Key lines

> She thinks it is better to have stains on her carpet than stains on their souls through any neglect of hers.

Iola values the spiritual well-being of children over material perfection, welcoming them into her home despite the mess.

_Highlights Iola's prioritization of moral guidance over domestic appearances._

> He has great faith in the possibilities of the negro, and believes that, enlightened and Christianized, he will sink the old animosities of slavery into the new community of interests arising from freedom.

Dr. Latimer is optimistic that education and Christianity will help African Americans overcome the divisions of slavery and build a shared future.

_Expresses the novel's central theme of racial uplift through moral and intellectual progress._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/iola_leroy_se/chapters/xxxiii-conclusion
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/iola_leroy_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/iola_leroy_se/chapters