Shades of Gray

While exact timelines vary, the time of Reconstruction lasted from approximately 1864 until 1877. During this time, the nation had numerous tasks to accomplish. Chief among these was rebuilding after the destruction of the Civil War and reintegrating the Confederate States into the United States of America. Another crucial issue during Reconstruction revolved around how states should treat newly emancipated enslaved persons. The first two of these issues are explored in this novel, but the question of formerly enslaved people is not of central concern for the main characters.

In the novel, Will laments the destruction that Sherman’s army left in its wake during the general’s famous March to the Sea. Sherman intended to destroy everything in his path except what was necessary for the survival of the people and their homes. This was not the only destruction that occurred during the Civil War. As is depicted in the novel, both militaries confiscated goods, crops, and livestock, and the Confederate Army destroyed cities as well. In the aftermath, much needed to be restored during Reconstruction, and this is illustrated in the novel, as Uncle Jed and Will work to restore the farm and acquire livestock.

There were many tensions during the time of Reconstruction. Some of these tensions occurred because of different views about how to handle formerly enslaved but now emancipated people and reintegrate the Southern states. Some of this tension was interpersonal as the individuals throughout the country came to terms with the war and their own wartime actions. In this novel, the latter is of central concern to the main characters, as each made different choices during the war and must deal with each other and heal relationships now that the war is over.