What is the importance of colors in the novel, Thread Collectors?

The author uses color to represent the emotions of the characters. Throughout the novel, green is associated with hope, and it is often associated with the character of Ammanee. In many respects, Ammanee is the female character with the least agency over her own life. Unlike her mother and sister, she was not mistress to a white man. She was sent to serve her own Black sister who was concubine to the slave holder. She is the character who gives the most in the novel, but this is not because she is forced to because of her station. She serves her sister out of love; this is especially apparent during her sister’s pregnancy. She also serves the escaped slaves at the contraband camp. After Ammanee’s death, a piece of Ammanee’s green clothing is one of the only things Stella brings with her to the North. Ammanee’s choices in life lead to hope as they show that the human spirit can triumph over adversity and can hold on to goodness despite suffering.

The color blue represents comfort and protection in the novel. When Tilly, William’s mother, is left alone with William after Isaiah leaves and her tongue is burnt out, she paints the ceiling blue to protect the boy from haints. This is a tradition of her people. Some of the women paint their doors blue as protection. When Stella makes a swaddle blanket for baby Wade, she stitches it with blue symbolizing the protection she wants to offer him.

Red represents love in the novel. When Lily attempts to make her first quilt, she uses red and white. She is frequently described by her red hair, and the song Jacob writes for her references fire. Lily is motivated by love throughout the entire novel. She tries to help Jacob, the man she loves, but she also devotes her time to sewing and writing to help other enlisted men and slaves. Because the novel centers around fabric, sewing, maps, and blankets, color is an important thread throughout the entire novel.