So much to read, so little time? This brief overview of The Underground Railroad tells you what you need to know--before or after you read Colson Whitehead's book. Crafted and edited with care, Worth Books set the standard for quality and give you the tools you need to be a well-informed reader. This short summary and analysis of The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead includes: Historical context Chapter-by-chapter summaries Analysis of the main characters Themes and symbols Important quotes Fascinating trivia Glossary of terms Supporting material to enhance your understanding of the original work About The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead: Colson Whitehead's National Book Award-winning The Underground Railroad is a bold, original, and unflinchingly brutal portrait of slavery during the darkest period in American history. On the cusp of womanhood, Cora is a runaway slave, pursued by her memories of abuse and abandonment, and by the implacable and notoriously cruel slave hunter known as Ridgeway. Her journey on the Underground Railroad--in Whitehead's conceit, a literal, subterranean railway--propels her journey across a dangerous landscape in search of freedom. The summary and analysis in this book are intended to complement your reading experience and bring you closer to a great work of fiction.