Iola is an interesting character because she grows up thinking of herself as white only to change her identity later on in life when she becomes aware of her mothers status of a previous slave. The choice becomes a duty for Iola, a duty she is both proud and hesitant of as the social implications of her decision become more apparent and restricting.
Iola’s character functions as a model for the black race and for women. “Harper uses Iola’s role as a school-teacher to initiate her rank within the community as a black leader, demonstrating intimate ties between teaching and community activism” (Jackson 558). Iola’s role within the black community conflicts with a path she could have take to uplift herself as a potential white woman.
This clash of self-uplift and racial up-lift is of much significance within this work because it proposes that the racial uplift requires sacrifice, a sacrifice that Harper connects very closely to that of Jesus who had to suffer to help mankind. In this way, Iola, role of a teacher is not restricted to a type of curriculum, but could be viewed more of a moral guide and example for her race.