Why Does Miss Dane Obtain A Sense Of Identity

white men, with all New England’s freedom, culture, Christianity, would not have felt as he felt then”? (14). Miss Dane’s perception of Bob changes, at this point in the short story, but only after she finds a way to identify with his strife. This comparison suggests that Miss Dane cannot escape her prejudices specifically in regards to how she relates to people of color. Prior to this moment, Miss Dane sympathizes with Bob but cannot understand his conflict until she ponders about how a white man would react if he found himself in the same situation. Therefore, Miss Dane reveals the magnitude of oppression and how even those who live in the North cannot escape their intolerant views. Upon this consideration, Miss Dane attempts to prevent Bob
The narrator declares, “That both assured and touched me, for, remembering that he had no name, I knew that he had taken mine” (19). Perhaps this is the only attempt Robert makes in attaining an identity of his own. Robert pays homage to Miss Dane, who despite her unconscious prejudices, is the only one to help Robert escape a lifetime of turmoil. Robert’s gesture validates Miss Dane’s efforts and perhaps allows her to see the significance of identity after living in the midst of slavery. Furthermore, Robert’s participation in the war provides him with a brotherhood that is uniquely his own and this unity provides him with a sense of self-worth that he had been deprived of his whole life. Robert’s last days were quite heartbreaking because although he chooses a name for himself, he never attains liberty in the real world, but rather through death. Miss Dane acknowledges this realization in the following, “and in the drawing of a breath my contraband found wife and home, eternal liberty and God” (22). Robert’s entire existence revolves around vengeance and thus he remains enslaved by a lifetime of servitude until death finally liberates