Trial and Triumph

"Trial and Triumph" by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper is a story set in the late 19th century, and it focuses on a young African American girl named Annette, who faces issues of race, what other people expect of her, and how people treat each other through every day life. Initially, we see Annette's difficult relationship with her grandmother, Mrs. Harcourt, that shows the struggles of raising a wild child. Annette deals with her own behavior and the social climate of that time, which is clear when she clashes with a neighbor's child. The adults around her worry about her future, the pressure of society, and the difficult world for a young African American girl at that time. Annette's experiences highlight how important education and believing in herself are as she aims to rise above the obstacles put in her way because of her place in society, preparing readers for a more detailed look at her life as the novel moves forward.