Finally, the novel is noteworthy for its unforced symbolism. Objects and incidents in the novel are important for their narrative value, and at the same time they often represent something larger. The Logan land, for instance, is a motivating force in the story, but it also symbolizes the Logan history in slavery and freedom. Weather, likewise, has a double meaning: The title’s “roll of thunder” (taken from a verse that Mr. Morrison sings at the opening of chapter 11) is not only a presage of rain but also the heavenly response to a cry of anguish. Finally, even human-made objects can have this symbolic import: Uncle Hammer’s silver Packard is an assertion of his own worth against the power of Whites, while the gun that T. J. Avery hungers for is a sign of his need for that power but a clue to his ultimate weakness. The style and language of Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, in short, work against the didactic qualities of this fine novel and help to underscore subtly its significant themes.