By the end of The River Between Us, race turns out to be a much bigger deal than we thought it was at the beginning. Not only do racial issues force Delphine and Calinda upriver from New Orleans, but racial identity turns out to be at the heart of the personal understanding Howard feels he lacks because he doesn't know his father's family. The novel is concerned with how race and skin color affect personal freedom and choices. This is as true of Howard's father, and Howard himself, as it is of Delphine and Calinda. Ultimately, in the novel, race is something to be proud of—but also something to keep hidden. Just like in the real world, then, race is super complex.
Questions About Race
- Does race affect Delphine's life more or less than it affects Calinda's? Why or why not? Remember to bust out examples from the text.
- Does race affect the white characters at all? How?
- How do people in New Orleans and people in Grand Tower view race differently? Be as specific as possible.
- Has anything changed between 1861 and 1916 in terms of the way that most people view race? If so, what? If not, why not?
Chew on This
It is necessary for Delphine to hide her race in order to protect herself and those around her.
Delphine's life is more affected by race than Andre's.