Poetry · Chapter
The Deliverance explained
Aunt Chloe recounts the Civil War era from the perspective of enslaved people, describing Mister Thomas's enlistment, the family's divided loyalties, the arrival of Union troops, the emancipation of the slaves, the assassination of Presiden
What happens
Aunt Chloe recounts the Civil War era from the perspective of enslaved people, describing Mister Thomas's enlistment, the family's divided loyalties, the arrival of Union troops, the emancipation of the slaves, the assassination of President Lincoln, and the challenges of Reconstruction including corrupt politicians and vote-buying.
Themes in this chapter
Freedom and Liberation
The chapter celebrates the emancipation of enslaved people and the joy of freedom.
Resilience and Sacrifice
Aunt Chloe and Uncle Jacob demonstrate resilience through prayer and hope during the war and its aftermath.
Social Injustice and Class
The chapter critiques the buying and selling of votes, and the exploitation of the poor.
Characters to notice
- Aunt Chloe
Narrator of the chapter, reflecting on the war and freedom.
- Mistus
Old Mistus, heartbroken over her son's enlistment and later the loss of her slaves.
- Mister Thomas
Old Mistus's son who joins the Confederate army.
- Uncle Jacob
Elderly enslaved man who prays and prophesies the end of slavery.
- Mister Lincoln
President Lincoln, praised for ending slavery and mourned after his assassination.
- David Rand
A man who sold his vote for adulterated sugar and flour.
Key passages
“I felt sorry for old Mistus; She got too full to speak; But I saw the great big tear-drops A running down her cheek.”
I felt pity for old Mistus; she was too choked up to talk, but I saw large tears streaming down her face.
Aunt Chloe observes Mistus's emotional distress over her son's departure for war.
“And I said to Uncle Jacob, 'Now old Mistus feels the sting, For this parting with your children Is a mighty dreadful thing.'”
I told Uncle Jacob that now Mistus understands the pain of having her children taken away, which is a terrible experience.
Aunt Chloe draws a parallel between the pain of enslaved parents and Mistus's own grief.
“When they told us Mister Lincoln Said that slavery was dead, We just poured our prayers and blessings Upon his precious head.”
When we heard that President Lincoln declared slavery abolished, we showered him with prayers and blessings.
The enslaved community's joyful response to the Emancipation Proclamation.
“But we had one awful sorrow, It almost turned my head, When a mean and wicked cretur Shot Mister Lincoln dead.”
But we suffered a terrible grief that nearly drove me mad when a cruel and evil person shot President Lincoln dead.
Aunt Chloe expresses the profound shock and sorrow over Lincoln's assassination.
“And if any man should ask me If I would sell my vote, I'd tell him I was not the one To change and turn my coat;”
If anyone asks me if I would sell my vote, I would say I am not the kind of person to be disloyal or change sides.
Aunt Chloe asserts her integrity and refusal to sell her vote.