The fact that Hiram is “given” the last name Walker is poignant, considering Hiram is the son of Howell and thus, if he were white, would automatically inherit his surname. In general, enslaved people did not have surnames, and so were known by their first name only (which was, in turn, usually chosen by their enslaver). By being given the surname Walker, Hiram symbolically becomes free yet also becomes more tightly tied to his former enslaver.