details about the experiences of black Americans in the nineteenth century. In Chapter 3, for example, Aunt Sally reckons birth and death dates of the people whom she loves not by calendar years but by significant historical events, such as a brilliant meteor shower or a severe drop in cotton prices. When Aunt Sally recalls having “seen the stars fall outen the sky with my naked eyes,” she is most probably referring to the Leonid meteor shower in the fall of 1833, and the reference to dropping cotton prices probably also has an equally real historical reference. The novel treatment of Vyry’s personal story thus presents the opportunity to explore the larger history of African Americans as a whole. This theme allows for a discussion of one or more of the many historical landmarks or developments in the novel, such as the Missouri Compromise of 1820, or a comparison of a scene in Walker’s novel, such as the celebration of Christmas on the plantation in Chapter 14, with one or more of the narratives by former slaves recorded by Federal Writers’ Project, available and fully searchable online through The Library of Congress.
Religion
Religion plays important and sometimes conflicting roles in Jubilee. In Chapter 10, Salina Dutton reads a passage from the Bible in support of slavery and in Chapter 20 her husband asserts that “the Bible is witness to the benefits of slavery.” In contrast, Brother Ezekiel preaches about Old Testament deliverance in Chapter 3, and Vyry retains her faith in the face of extreme hardships and, at the end of the novel, delivers a sermon of her own on the importance of unconditional love. Walker’s novel thus illustrates how religion can simultaneously serve opposing purposes: it can oppress or liberate entire groups of people, just as it can stifle or promote the growth of an individual.

Duty is a subtle but pervasive theme in Jubilee, and it is a value that is experienced differently by different characters, based on whether they are black or white and female or male. Vyry, the black woman who is the central character of the novel, has perhaps the strongest sense of duty. Although freed from slavery, she stays on at the plantation, working without pay for the woman who used to own and torment her and caring for the Dutton daughter without any expectation of reward. Vyry stays for other reasons, too; she says at least twice that she is “duty bound to wait” for her husband Randall Ware. Similarly, the male slave Jim does not escape to the North during the Civil War when presented with the opportunity to do so because he feels duty bound to bring the wounded Johnny home to the Dutton plantation. The wealthy white men and women express a sense of duty mostly in their support of the war effort. For the women, this support comes in many forms, including the sewing of uniforms, and for men, it is manifested primarily in their enlistment in the Confederate Army. Through its occasional reference to knights, castles, King Arthur, and dragon slaying, the novel may be suggesting that these patriotic duties are less real or less mature than the obligations to care for the people one loves.

The epigraph to each chapter of Jubilee is a set of lyrics from one song or another, and the lyrics often have clear connections to the chapters that they introduce. Music is clearly a central theme in the work. Walker’s novel explores how song can be used to express an individual person’s state of mind or to celebrate a group’s shared identity; these dual purposes are seen, for example, in Aunty Sally’s different songs for her changing moods in Chapter 6 and in the songs sung at the worship services of the Rising Glory Baptist Church deep in the woods in Chapter 3.

In the narrative of Jubilee, the rich tapestry of black heritage unfurls through the integral themes of folklore, myth, and music. These elements not only enrich the cultural identity but also serve as vital threads connecting generations. Central to this cultural preservation are black women, who act as both guardians and transmitters of their community’s stories and traditions. Through their efforts, the essence of their heritage is kept alive, nurturing a sense of identity and continuity. Exploring the text reveals the significant role of black Christianity, which stands as a pillar in the pursuit of freedom. The spiritual resilience and hope found in this faith provided strength during times of adversity, underlining its importance in the collective struggle for liberation. Moreover, Jubilee invites readers to ponder the delicate balance between illusion and reality. This duality enriches the narrative, offering a reflective lens through which the complexities of life and legacy are examined. Thus, the work not only preserves cultural identity but also challenges perceptions, encouraging a deeper understanding of the human experience.

Walker skillfully portrays a unique perspective on history, one that emerges distinctly from the African American experience rather than the traditional narratives espoused by either northern or southern whites. Through the dialogues and speeches of slave owners depicted in her novel, Walker exposes a fundamental illusion held by these white masters. They are portrayed as having convinced themselves of the righteousness of their actions—believing that their enslavement of human beings is driven by noble intent. This self-deception extends to the conviction that their slaves, under their care, are content and well-treated. Any aspirations of freedom expressed by the enslaved are dismissed by the masters as mere evidence of their supposed naiveté. In this narrative, Walker effectively challenges the misconceptions about slavery, revealing the stark contrast between illusion and the harsh reality experienced by African Americans.

As Walker illustrates, the justifications used to suppress African Americans did not vanish with the Emancipation Proclamation. In Jubilee, the dialogues between Innis Brown, Vyry, and Randall Ware illuminate a central theme: the ongoing struggle for true freedom. Given the persistent blindness of whites, Walker implicitly questions how blacks can advance beyond mere nominal freedom to genuine equality.

Innis Brown embodies one perspective. His approach is passive; despite enduring oppression both during slavery and after emancipation, he clings to the belief—or perhaps the hope—that hard work and avoidance of conflict with whites will ensure his family's safety. His attitude is partially shaped by his ownership of land, a personal achievement he values as his highest goal.

Conversely, Vyry envisions greater possibilities. She recognizes her children’s potential to ascend socially and understands that education is vital for their progress. For Vyry, isolation is not a solution; to establish schools, the black community must interact with whites. She places her faith in the power of persuasion, supported by prayer, to foster change.

Randall Ware offers a third perspective, reflecting that of black separatists and militants. Having experienced political action firsthand and being ousted from an elected office, he is convinced that whites will continually strive to suppress blacks. Ware views education as the crucial weapon that will equip blacks for the inevitable conflicts ahead.

While Walker does not explicitly endorse any single viewpoint, it is apparent that resolving the issues faced by blacks requires dismantling the long-held illusions of whites. Thus, the theme of freedom is inseparably linked to the quest for truth. Walker's exploration of these intertwined themes stands as a primary objective in her writing of Jubilee.

Margaret Walker’s Jubilee eloquently weaves the complex tapestry of plantation life and the tumultuous dawn of freedom, immersing readers in the perspective of the enslaved. Refusing to paint the world in simplistic hues of morality based on skin color, Walker presents a nuanced duality: a realm where slave owners naively believe discontent among slaves is the mark of folly or mental instability, and a parallel universe where the enslaved, beneath a facade of compliance, harbor dreams of liberation and strategize their paths to freedom.

When the Northern forces, envisioned as saviors, eventually arrive, they shatter the illusion of deliverance for the newly freed individuals. The anticipated redemption by the Yankees reveals a stark reality; the liberators seem just as indifferent to the plight and future of the black population as the very oppressors they replaced. This disillusionment underscores the complex dynamics of power and freedom, as the dream of liberation collides with the harshness of an uncaring world. Walker’s narrative captures this poignant moment of awakening, where the promise of freedom is overshadowed by the grim continuity of struggles, shedding light on a deeper understanding of emancipation beyond mere liberation from physical chains.

The human yearning for freedom undergoes a profound evolution in the narrative. Initially, the focus is on liberation from the shackles of legal slavery. However, this newfound freedom soon encounters fresh challenges. Freed individuals face the looming specter of economic oppression, finding themselves trapped as tenants or laborers, bound by the same chains they thought they'd left behind. The threat of violence continues to suppress their voices, echoing the silence imposed during their enslavement. Post-emancipation, the struggle takes on a new dimension, as education emerges as the crucial path to true liberation, offering a beacon of hope against the resurgence of bondage in its various forms.

In the final chapters of the narrative, Vyry passionately asserts that the drive to succeed should not be fueled by bitterness. Instead, it must spring from a deep spiritual resilience, akin to the profound sense of divine presence that provided solace and strength to enslaved individuals during their clandestine gatherings in the woods. This spiritual foundation, rooted in an unwavering belief in God's nearness, offered them a sanctuary of hope and endurance in the face of adversity. Such resilience, Vyry suggests, is essential not just for overcoming personal struggles, but as a cornerstone for achieving broader educational and personal accomplishments.