For most individuals, freedom means having the ability to make their own choices. At the beginning of the novel, the reading of the Emancipation Proclamation presents each slave with a decision—either to remain or to leave. Those who decide to leave are eager to embark on a new life but soon discover that achieving freedom is not straightforward. While the legal shackles have been removed, they lack the political influence and economic means to fully enjoy their freedom. Throughout the novel, this contradiction of being "free" yet restricted by a second-class status develops into a series of perilous choices. These choices often involve personal sacrifices that inspire others and signify progress. Over time, the divide between being a freed slave and being a citizen with rights is gradually closed through small acts of choosing freedom.

From the moment Jane hears the Proclamation, she understands she can leave. However, not being a slave is significantly different from experiencing true freedom. When she asks, "So this is freedom?" she recognizes only the absence of ownership, not genuine freedom. It's difficult to feel "free" with the presence of the Ku Klux Klan and men like Albert Cluveau, who are hired to kill "uppity" blacks like Ned. Yet, change begins as people start speaking out. After Ned's murder, Jane confronts Cluveau. The school for black children, for which Ned was killed, eventually becomes operational on the Samson plantation, and Jimmy later goes to college. The quest for freedom often involves a series of small steps. As Jane whispers to Jimmy, claiming their rights will take a long time and healing, not "retrick."

Eventually, enough time passes. Jane, symbolizing the freed slaves, can now assert her rightful status as an equal. Jimmy's murder serves as a turning point. Jane claims her freedom for the first time by defiantly walking past Robert Samson. Her decision to exercise her freedom affirms her life. Although she lived before that moment, walking past a symbol of her former oppressors marks a new beginning in her life.