One of the major themes in the novel is enslavement. Characters like Belle, Mama Mae, and Ben, among others, are slaves on the plantation. They were bought from a slave trade by James’s father, and they are treated like property; they have no rights of their own, and everything they have is at the mercy of the plantation owner, including food, shelter, and even the right to marry other slaves. Lavinia, on the other hand, first comes to the plantation as an indentured servant. She initially lives in the kitchen house with Belle and James expects her to do the chores of a slave. While Lavinia and the slaves share a common experience, the main difference is that slaves never earn their freedom, but indentured servants eventually will.

Race is a determining factor in enslavement. Every slave on the plantation is African American, and the slaves are initially shocked when James has Lavinia live with them as his indentured servant. Eventually, however, the slaves welcome her into their home, and she sees them as her family. While the bond that Lavinia and the slaves share doesn’t coincide with the social expectations of race, it becomes complicated when she marries Marshall, a slave owner with less friendly ideals.