Iola Leroy, or Shadows Uplifted is, to date, Frances E. W. Harper’s best known work of fiction. The novel, written in the sentimental style so popular with nineteenth century American women writers, tackles several issues that were of extreme importance to Harper. True to her time and to the philosophy of the Cult of True Womanhood, Harper deals extensively with Christianity and the role of the good Christian woman. On the other hand, Harper also preaches on the importance of women’s self-sufficiency and independence. Most critical to her story is the race question. Harper addresses such critical issues as the color line, miscegenation, abolition, reconstruction, education, social responsibility, and suffrage for the Afr

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Published 16 July 2002 ; revised 02 July 2007

Citation: Novak, Terry. "Iola Leroy, or Shadows Uplifted ". The Literary Encyclopedia. 16 July 2002.
[http://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=4398, accessed 9 February 2010.]