Dunbar, Paul Laurence. "The Strength of Gideon".

Summary

- Gideon was named after a Hebrew warrior from the Bible by whose story his mother was deeply impressed in a church sermon

- Gideon is deeply involved with religion, determined from his birth to pursue a holy mission on Earth (compared to Moses leading his people to the Promised Land)

- taken as a house servant, falls in love with Martha, the two engage but wait for a year because they hope for their own cabin

- the kind master dies and Gideon promises him on his death bed to take care for the women

- the war approaches: slaves secretly pray for freedom, but so as not to offend their masters

- the master leaves to the war and takes some of the slaves with him, Gideon keeps his promise to the former master and stays in the house

- as the Union camp lies nearer, many slaves run away and are not pursued

- the master dies, most of the slaves leave the house and are not pursued

- also Martha leaves for freedom to Captain Griswold's camp, the captain himself tries to persuade Gideon to serve him for a good salary, but Gideon refuses because of the promise

- the camp moves, the captain and Martha try persuading Gideon again but fail, Gideon stays

- the conclusion: "Gideon had triumphed mightily."

Analysis

- black characters speak strong black English dialect in the dialogues

- a rather unusual depiction of slaves faithful to their kind, father-like masters

- in their heart longing for freedom but hardly ever rebelling

- shows that coloured people are capable of manifesting moral strength, acting according to personal persuasion, and preferring "larger good" to their personal inclinations (Gideon prefers keeping the promise rather than leaving with Martha)