The Colonel's Dream

"The Colonel's Dream" by Charles W. Chesnutt is a story set in the aftermath of the Civil War, where Colonel Henry French, a man who made his fortune up North, journeys back to his Southern hometown seeking connection with his roots. The narrative follows the Colonel's return with his son, Philip, to the town of Clarendon, where he reflects on a past filled with both fond memories and the harsh realities of Southern society. The story critiques the social and racial inequalities of the time through the Colonel’s interactions with the people he once knew, exploring the complex themes of identity, belonging, and the possibility of change in a society still grappling with the legacy of slavery. The novel opens with Colonel French concluding a successful business deal with his partners, Kirby and Mrs. Jerviss, but their interactions emphasize the growing tension due to the Colonel's intense work ethic, setting the stage for his transformative journey back to the South and his own past.