other’s shadow to become a genuine and unique person.In just a few months, Denver morphs from a cowardly child, to an ardent adult. As the story closes, she is working too jobs to support herself and her mother. She tells Paul D. that her boss, Miss Bodwin, “says I might go to Oberlin. She’s experimenting on me” (256). Paul D, not so much impressed with her goals to go to college, but her general appearance and demeanor declares, “You grown” (267). Denver’s emancipation coincided with her mother’s ability to, “lay it all down, sword and shield”(86). Once Denver understands her heritage, she is able to proceed with her future....
