In The Last Carolina Girl, Leah’s journey illustrates the personal struggles of those oppressed by societal constraints. Left orphaned by her father’s death, Leah must learn to navigate a challenging situation, especially at the hands of the abusive Mrs. Griffin. As the novel progresses, Leah develops a stronger sense of autonomy, ultimately taking control of her life.

Leah faces significant challenges to her autonomy once she moves into the Griffins’ home. Mrs. Griffin denies her the opportunity to go to school, forcing Leah to work as an unpaid housekeeper for the family instead. Mrs. Griffin openly insults Leah with impunity, calling her “simpleminded” and responding with harshness whenever Leah does something that displeases her. Mrs. Griffin also seeks to deny Leah’s bodily autonomy, first by shearing off her hair in a fit of rage and, even more significantly, by arranging Leah’s forced sterilization surgery. This pivotal moment in the narrative underscores the devastating impact of stripping individuals of their autonomy under the guise of societal betterment.

Leah, however, gradually grows in confidence and strength over the course of the narrative. She begins to cast a more critical eye on the Griffins, especially once she discovers that Mrs.