Set in 19th-century New Orleans, this novella explores the complex world of Creole society and racial identity. Madame Delphine, a woman of mixed race, faces a moral dilemma as she seeks a better life for her daughter, Olive, whose light skin offers her a chance to pass as white. The story delves into themes of love, race, social status, and the sacrifices a mother makes for her child, against the backdrop of Southern customs and traditions.