Sugarcane
Sugarcane plantations dominate the island. White men owned the plantations, whereas the slaves offered labor. Shearer writes, "Sugarcane fields spread like a rash across the flat landscape. No inch of land had been spared—it had all been forced to submit and produce." The fertile soil on the island is ideal for sugarcane farming. The white men exploit it to the maximum to increase the revenue they generate from the sale of cane that is sued to produce sugar. The large plantations affirm that white men have taken over the island.
Ghosts
Ghosts of Rachel's children haunt her. Some children died young, whereas others were snatched from her and sold to other white slave owners. Shearer explains, "All of Rachel's lost children, crouching in the shadows. She did not have to turn her head to see them." Throughout her life, the ghosts have been accompanying her. Her memories of the children are still raw, even though she has been separated from them for years. The ghostly memories inspire her to flee from Providence.
The Sea
The sea waters engulf the island. They are a boundary that separates the island from other places. Shearer relates, "She climbed the gentle slope of a hill. When she reached the top, suddenly there was the sea…She had reached the limits of the island." Rachel cannot cross the sea; it would result in drowning. Her fleeing comes to a halt. The sea restricts the distance that slaves can flee. It means that even if they manage to flee from the plantations, they cannot go beyond the island.
