Class

In post civil war Cold Sassy, things are slow to change. Even though African Americans are now free, they are still looked down on by many in town. Those who work for white families have certain rules that they follow, though most are unspoken.

The reader gets a glimpse of servant life through the eyes of Miss Love. She knows the reason that Queenie uses a mason jar to drink out of is that Queenie knows that the family doesn't want her drinking out of their cups. She uses an old fork to eat with and an old pan to eat out of for the same reasons. When Queenie, and other black servants wash their dishes, they wash them right after the good dishes and right before the animal dishes. This subservient treatment is prevalent, but mostly overlooked.

Miss Love and Aunt Carrie are the only two in...