Slavery

There are many themes in this novel that deal with the institution of slavery. Although the book begins several years after the Civil War that led to the abolishment of slavery in the United States, the main character continues to deal with issues, both personal and socially, that stem from her experiences with slavery.

Cynara was born into slavery because her mother was a slave. Although Cynara's father was a white man, she was still considered a slave. Hence, not only did Cynara belong to her father in the sense that he was her care giver, her provider, she also belonged to him as a piece of property. Cynara's father sold her when she was still a child in order to protect her and himself from her beauty. Cynara's father also wanted to take away the distraction he felt she created for her mother. Cynara's father actually meant...