Based on the historical setting, why does Paul have two
different names?
Read this excerpt from The Land.
As for what my daddy called me, sometimes when we were
alone, he called me Paul-Edward. That's because my mama
had wanted to name me Edward after him, but my daddy
had said it wouldn't be fitting, seeing that none of his boys
with his white wife had his name. Out of respect for her, he
said, he couldn't give it to me official-like, but he would think
of me that way. So there were times when my daddy called
me Paul-Edward, and my mama and sometimes Cassie did
the same, but it was only between them and me,
Paul is close with Cassie and his mother, so they enjoy
having a nickname for him.
Paul's father and his wife have reserved the name
Edward for one of their white sons.
Paul's father believes the name Edward is more dignified,
and he calls Paul by that name in public.
O Paul's relationship with his white father and their shared
name is not acceptable to society.