What is the theme in Jubilee by Margaret Walker?

One major theme in the novel, Jubilee, is the reality of freedom. This theme is illustrated through the reactions of many of those who were freed as a result of the war. Slaves without education had no prospects other than the work they'd performed since birth. Many of the slaves believed that freedom freed them from labor altogether. Others understood that it would take hard work to establish and provide for themselves. It was a time of uncertainty and often a time of irresponsibility...... magic would not transform their lives...... transformation would be won through labor. Labor performed for themselves rather than as a result of threatened violence.