Morality

The overarching moral issue has to do with Victoria and Jubal. They became lovers during the segregated South, a time when Blacks and Whites were not supposed to share restaurants, public toilets or even drinking fountains, let alone have children together. Earley understands the ramifications of Victoria's pregnancy. Abortion is out of the question because the illegality of the procedure, and more so the immorality of it. She must bring the child to term and give birth, but she cannot do this in Thermopylae due to the town knowing everyone's personal lives. Instead, he recommends that she go away and have the baby in an environment that is not so prying and judgmental. The next moral problem is what to do with the baby. Putting the boy, Joshua, up for adoption works out because Jubal takes on the responsibility of parenting. Victoria cannot be the boy's mother whether...