of Postmodernism). The basic subject of the novel concerns the protagonist¿s, John Washington¿s reconstruction of his past, and thus the process of his change in dealing with (African-American) history. However, within this work this perspective has to be broadened in the sense that Judith Powell, John¿s white lover should shift much more into focus. It is to be proved that Judith¿s role in the novel is extraordinarily necessary to enable the process John is undergoing for her interaction as a persistent and sensitive lover is the key to a mutual understanding. Prerequisites for a profound scrutiny of this claim are required; we need to know what exactly is the way John approaches history, and if that is changing, but also what is he able of at which stage of the novel? Which role do racial and other individual aspects play in John¿s past and how do they influence the present? Relating to potential answers we will go on by having a close look on the relationship of John and Judith, especially on the kind of their dialogic interaction. Furthermore, Judith¿s part in this process has to be emphasised to work out her key function by finding out how she interferes, how she succeeds and why it is especially Judith who is qualified to do so. Finally, the meaning and the technical representation of understanding within the novel¿s context should be analysed.