Sue Monk Kidd's 'The Intervention Of Wings'

Pre-Civil War, period in which reformers emerged to fight against slavery, and the elimination of racial and gender discrimination. They wanted to create a change in society to get a better world for future generations. More significantly, reformers created campaigns to "reduce drinking, establish prisons, create public schools, educate the deaf and the blind, abolish slavery, and extend equal rights to women (Digital History)." Then, inequality between white or black, women or men, rich or poor are the common differences that society is facing from long ago. This is the case of Sue Monk Kidd, who presents a story from the nineteenth century. A battle in which the weapons being used are hope and courage. In the book called The Intervention of Wings, the writer Kidd uses two characters such as Sarah and Handful, imagery, and a detailed setting to represent two historical themes such as women’s rights and the abolitionism.

The problem one serve for the other. However, both are looking for freedom. One physically the other mentally. Also, there is a quote in which Handful describes the situation for both saying “My body might be a slave, but not my mind. For you, it’s the other way round (Kidd 201).” In the story both women face different barriers, they break the laws and they are punished for their actions. This leads to creating a setting that takes place in South Carolina, the story that shows what is going on the Grimke’s house and how each of the characters has a role depending on their race, gender, and social