10. What do you think of Reuel’s outlook toward money? At the beginning of the novel, he laments that he is nearly impoverished, yet he’s accepting of it while studying medicine and finding enjoyment and value in other aspects of life. Then he falls in love with Dianthe, and suddenly he cannot bear the idea of her having to live in poverty as he has done. So great is this concern, that he decides to leave her for two years in order to find the wealth he thinks is suitable for her standing. Do you agree with his decision in those circumstances? Although it’s done for the altruistic benefit of his love, he ultimately must leave behind his new bride to obtain it. Would you have taken the same risk to improve the quality of life for someone you love? Otherwise, what would you have done differently?

11. There are instances of prophetic ghosts, visions of the past, magical sight, mysticism, and mesmerism throughout this book. How do these supernatural occurrences tend to guide the characters? Have you ever experienced a supernatural occurrence? How did it change you?

12. Issues and roles of Black and White race are explored in this book in ways that transgressed socially-accepted normalcies of the era, such as reversal of stereotypes, the effects of race as a social construct, and authenticating multi-racial identity, particularly through Reuel Briggs, a mixed heritage Black man, whose skin is so light that he can pass for a White man. Do you think those were important issues to discuss at the time of this book’s publication? How are these issues still important today?

13. What other messages or themes from this book from over one hundred years ago are still relevant in today’s society?

14. Jim Titus and Charlie Vance discover an immense treasure, described as, “a jumbled heap of gems—some large, some small, but together in value beyond all dreams of wealth.” What is the greatest treasure you could imagine finding? Do you think all people seek the same sorts of treasure? Can you think of anything you would consider a treasure that other people would not?

15. The closing line of this book relates to God, and states: He will prove His words, “Of one blood have I made all races of men.” What does this mean to you?

Suggested Further Reading of Fiction

For readers who have enjoyed Of One Blood: or, The Hidden Self and wish to further read works of similar voice, literary style, or theme—including supernatural elements in such topics as race identity; mesmerism; dream projection; early science fiction; Gothic romance; “Lost World” adventure from a non-European colonialism view; etc.—consider the following, which represent just a small selection of available great and commensurable books.

The Annotated African American Folktales (an anthology) edited by Henry Louis Gates Jr. and Maria Tatar (2017): An immense compilation of over 150 African American folktales with commentary and essays, placing the work in historical background.