Racism

The theme of racism is at the center of the novel. It is introduced in the first segment of the novel where Hiram is a 7-year-old boy. He goes with his grandfather to the Hillburn cotton fields to talk to the overseer. While Grampa and the overseer talk, Hiram goes to follow one of the workers. All of the workers on the field are African American while Hiram recalls that he has never seen a white field worker. The worker stops at the end of the row to stretch his back for a minute, allowing Hiram the opportunity to pick up the man's hoe. Upon seeing this Grampa is instantly furious, however it is not due to the fact that Hiram could hurt himself. Grampa is upset because the worker allowed Hiram to touch the hoe in general. He is also mad at the fact that...