Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Small Great Things, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Racism: Hate, Fear, and Grief
Institutional Racism
Belonging and Community
Family and Shared Humanity
The Justice System and the Politics of Speech
Summary
Analysis
As Kennedy heads out the door for Ruth's trial, Micah tells her to sit and eat breakfast while Violet points out that her shoes don't match. Kennedy wolfs down her food and then leaves to meet Ruth behind the courthouse. She notices Walter Mercy out front, as well as a group holding up pictures of Davis. The white supremacists walk through Mercy's group, throwing punches, and police separate the groups. Kennedy finds Edison in the parking lot, and Ruth stands on the sidewalk watching. After a minute, Ruth admits that she's wondering how long she has to enjoy the world. Kennedy says she'll do her best.
When the white supremacists walk through Mercy's group, they do so entirely to intimidate the other protesters. This shows how they make a point to create a sense of fear, as that in turn allows them to divide and conquer.
Themes
