Names

Names are an important symbol of identity, especially important to these characters as they live their lives ignoring their Black heritage. The name Belle Marion is a symbol that Belle is Black. She does not use the name Marion from the time she takes a position at Princeton, using Belle da Costa Greene, which is a symbol that she is white.

Ethnic Designation on the Census

Genevieve reports that she and the children are white when she answers Census questions, which is a symbol that she wants them to live as whites to avoid the racial prejudice and social injustices of the time. To her husband, that designation is a symbol that she has turned her back on her people and heritage.

Skin Tone

Skin tone is a symbol of ethnicity, and Belle's mother invents a Portuguese grandmother to explain why Belle and her brother Russell...