Iola

This book was a very interesting book. The book presented many issues that were abundant at the time and tried to show a different perspective that would allow for the reader to see the issues in a different manner. The one drop theme was brought up throughout the book as the story revolved around Iola and how she was sold to slavery. I think the book tried to show that the one drop thought was outdated and in very poor taste. It says a few times that had people not know the they had the one drop they thought Henry and Iola were white. There was also the constant theme of trying to prove that blacks were just as equal as the whites within the book. This was done by having the black characters either debate with whites to show that they were on the same intellectual level. This was done with the doctor and Robert did it a few time. Also there was the Uncle that would not leave the white family because he was a man of his word. By him doing this he is showing the they are honorable and that they should be considered equal with the whites. There is also the theme of the black characters within this book having to band together and not marring outside of their group. They gathered together because its how the people felt comfortable and thought it was the only place that they would fit in. Then there is the cant marry with whites. This is a thought that they should not have been considering because they were trying to be seen as equals. This is a very thought provoking book. Only knock on it was that it was a slow read due to all the talking back and forth.