He promises to provide for her, take her out of bondage and to care for his children. Marie resists his persuasion for some time until she decides to marry Leroy. They have three children and all the while their true racial identity is kept a secret. Marie and Eugene talk about other white men who don't consider their children legitimate if produced by a black woman. He made her crown of motherhood a circle of shame.
Harper tries to display the importance of being a wife as well as a mother.
Black women should not be the property of white slaveholders for them to do as their owners please. Through this, Harper expresses the importance of autonomy. Another image of womanhood which is portrayed is one of beauty. In Harper's novel, beauty is viewed not by the color of one's skin, but for one's personality and intelligence. Harper describes the importance of both images.