Iola Leroy, or, Shadows Uplifted

A striking portrait of black life during the Civil War and Reconstruction, this 1892 work was among the first novels published by an African-American woman. It explores issues of race, politics, and class in the tale of a mixed-race woman who rejects a life of "passing" and devotes herself to the improvement of black society.

A poet, author, and popular public speaker, Frances E. W. Harper (1825-1911) was active in the suffrage and temperance movements and a founding member of the National Association of Colored Women.

I. Mystery of Market Speech and Prayer-MeetingII. Contraband of WarIII. Uncle Daniel's StoryIV. Arrival of the Union ArmyV. The Release of Iola LeroyVI. Robert Johnson's Promotion and ReligionVII. Tom Anderson's DeathVIII. The Mystified DoctorIX Eugene Leroy and Alfred LorraineX. Shadows in the HomeXI. The Plague and the LawXII. School-Girl NotionsXIII. A Rejected SuitorXIV. Harry LeroyXV. Robert and His CompanyXVI. After the BattleXVII. Flames in the School-RoomXVIII. Searching for Lost OnesXIX. Striking ContrastsXX. A RevelationXXI. A Home for MotherXXII. Further Lifting of the VeilXXIII. Delightful ReunionsXXIV. Northern ExperienceXXV. An Old FriendXXVI. Open QuestionsXXVII Diverging PathsXXVIII. Dr. Latrobe's MistakeXXIX. Visitors from the SouthXXX. Friends in CouncilXXXI. Dawning AffectionsXXXII. Wooing and WeddingXXXIII. ConclusionNOTE