Menu
Underground railroad
When looking at the map of where Cora travels throughout the novel, it is clear to see that she is always on the run. By putting all of Cora’s destinations on a timeline, it says that for a runaway slave there is no such thing as a safe space or freedom. Although laws have been passed to abolish slavery, racism and prejudice will be around for a very long time. Even when Cora thought she was somewhat safe in the attic in North Carolina, she was still witnessing runaway slaves being tortured for the amusement of white people. By Whitehead placing Cora up North, he was saying that no matter where you go there are people who will discriminate. For a slave during that time, freed or not, anywhere in the United States is a dangerous place and there is no such thing as complete freedom.