The Uncalled

The Uncalled by Paul Laurence Dunbar is a novel set in the small town of Dexter Ohio where the story begins with the death of Margaret Brent a woman who has lived a troubled life. Her passing leaves her young son Freddie orphaned and in need of care. The community particularly the women gather to decide the boy's future as they are reluctant to send him to an orphanage. Miss Hester Prime a stern and duty-bound spinster takes it upon herself to raise Freddie despite her lack of experience with children. Her approach to child-rearing is strict and repressive focusing on duty and discipline which stifles Freddie's natural impulses. However Eliphalet Hodges a kind-hearted man and friend of Miss Prime provides a counterbalance to her severity. He offers Freddie warmth understanding and the simple joys of childhood such as candy and toys which Miss Prime disapproves of. As Freddie grows he navigates the challenges of his upbringing caught between Miss Prime's rigid expectations and the more nurturing influence of Hodges. The novel explores themes of redemption the impact of upbringing on a child's development and the struggle between duty and compassion. Through Freddie's journey Dunbar delves into the complexities of human nature and the societal pressures that shape individual destinies.