Love and Hate

The theme of love and hate is one of the three, major, and overarching precepts in Rita Dove's play The Darker Face of the Earth. It informs every major part of the plot, and drives the characters of Augustus and Amalia without fail.

Hate exists predominantly in the characters of Augustus and Louis. Hatred comes to Augustus through his position as a slave, and being helpless against his masters. His hatred serves as a source of motivation for insurrection and plotting to murder the plantation owners. Furthermore, his hatred also proves to be appealing to the other slaves, who have no such fire of their own.

Louis, on the other hand, has hatred toward his wife, Hector, and Augustus. Louis's hatred of his wife, and of Hector, stems from the affair they have had with one another. Louis's hatred of the illicit affair drives him further...