Estimated read time: 5 min read
Table of Contents
List of Characters
| Character Name | Role | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Sarah Louisa Wheelock | Protagonist | A young Northern girl caught between her abolitionist beliefs and her family ties in the South |
| Aunt Charlotte | Antagonist / Family Member | Sarah Louisa’s aunt who owns a plantation and embodies Southern aristocratic values |
| Joe | Supporting Character | A slave on Aunt Charlotte’s plantation who forms a bond with Sarah Louisa |
| Sarah’s Father | Supporting Character | A Union soldier representing Northern ideals and the conflict of war within the family |
| Sarah’s Mother | Supporting Character | A caring figure torn between her loyalty to her family and her moral convictions |
Role Identification
| Character | Role in the Story |
|---|---|
| Sarah Louisa Wheelock | Central character whose growth drives the narrative |
| Aunt Charlotte | Represents the Southern plantation system and societal norms |
| Joe | Symbolizes the human face of slavery and its impact |
| Sarah’s Father | Embodies the Union cause and the Northern perspective |
| Sarah’s Mother | Represents maternal compassion and inner conflict |
Character Descriptions
Sarah Louisa Wheelock
Sarah Louisa is a compassionate, brave, and conflicted young girl. Raised in the North with anti-slavery beliefs, she finds herself living with her Southern relatives. Her journey reveals the complexities of loyalty, morality, and identity during the Civil War.
Aunt Charlotte
Aunt Charlotte is proud, authoritative, and deeply entrenched in the Southern way of life. She manages the plantation with strict adherence to tradition and social hierarchy, often clashing with Sarah Louisa’s beliefs.
Joe
Joe is a resilient and intelligent slave who forms a meaningful friendship with Sarah Louisa. His character humanizes the brutal realities of slavery and influences Sarah Louisa’s understanding of justice.
Sarah’s Father
A stern and principled Union soldier, Sarah’s father embodies Northern patriotism. His presence highlights the ideological and physical divide tearing families apart during the war.
Sarah’s Mother
Gentle and empathetic, Sarah’s mother struggles with the war’s impact on her family. She represents the emotional toll of conflict and the desire for peace.
Character Traits
| Character | Key Traits |
|---|---|
| Sarah Louisa Wheelock | Compassionate, courageous, conflicted, empathetic |
| Aunt Charlotte | Proud, authoritarian, traditional, rigid |
| Joe | Resilient, intelligent, dignified, hopeful |
| Sarah’s Father | Principled, stern, loyal, patriotic |
| Sarah’s Mother | Gentle, nurturing, conflicted, empathetic |
Character Background
Sarah Louisa Wheelock
Born in the North, Sarah Louisa was raised with strong abolitionist values. Her relocation to the South to live with her aunt exposes her to the harsh realities of slavery and the cultural divide. This background sets the stage for her internal conflict and growth.
Aunt Charlotte
A Southern plantation owner, Aunt Charlotte’s life revolves around maintaining her estate and social status. She embodies the Southern aristocracy that relies heavily on the institution of slavery for economic and social power.
Joe
Joe was born into slavery on the plantation and has endured hardship and oppression. His intelligence and resilience allow him to form a unique bond with Sarah Louisa, who treats him with kindness.
Sarah’s Father
A Union soldier, he represents the Northern ideals of freedom and abolition. His military role creates tension in the family, particularly with relatives who support the Confederacy.
Sarah’s Mother
Raised with strong moral values, she is caught between her husband’s Union allegiance and her daughter’s Southern surroundings. Her background is one of nurturing and support amid turmoil.
Character Arcs
| Character | Beginning State | Development | Ending State |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sarah Louisa Wheelock | Innocent, idealistic Northern girl | Faces harsh realities of slavery and family loyalty | Mature, empathetic, with a nuanced understanding of war and humanity |
| Aunt Charlotte | Proud, unyielding plantation mistress | Experiences challenges to her views and authority | Remains largely unchanged but reveals vulnerabilities |
| Joe | Subjugated and cautious | Gains trust and friendship with Sarah Louisa | Finds hope and a voice through his relationship with Sarah Louisa |
| Sarah’s Father | Committed Union soldier | Deals with familial conflict and war hardships | Steadfast, but more understanding of complexities within his family |
| Sarah’s Mother | Supportive and nurturing | Struggles with the war's emotional toll | More resolved and protective of her family’s unity |
Relationships
Sarah Louisa and Aunt Charlotte
This relationship is central to the novel’s conflict. Sarah Louisa’s abolitionist beliefs clash with Aunt Charlotte’s Southern values, creating tension and forcing Sarah Louisa to navigate her loyalties carefully.
Sarah Louisa and Joe
Their friendship transcends social and racial boundaries. Joe’s humanity and resilience affect Sarah Louisa deeply, influencing her views on slavery and justice.
Sarah Louisa and Her Parents
Sarah’s relationship with her parents highlights the war’s divisive impact. While her father’s Union loyalty contrasts with her Southern surroundings, her mother provides emotional support and understanding.
Aunt Charlotte and Joe
Their relationship exemplifies the master-slave dynamic inherent in the plantation system. Aunt Charlotte’s authority over Joe underscores the systemic oppression he faces.
Family Dynamics
The family embodies the fractured nature of America during the Civil War. Conflicting loyalties and ideologies create tension, forcing each member to confront their beliefs and relationships.
This analysis explores the richly developed characters of The Last Silk Dress and their intricate relationships. Through them, Ann Rinaldi paints a vivid portrait of the social and moral complexities during the American Civil War.
