The most obvious example of inequality in Mudbound is racism. The blacks in Mississippi are treated as subhuman by the white racists. There is no way for people like Ronsel and his family to aspire to equal treatment, even after returning from the war, after serving his country as a Sergeant who won medals for military courage. He cannot impress, converse with, or find common ground with people in the delta who already think they know the most important thing about him: the color of his skin.

But the idea of knowing one’s place is not limited to racism in the novel. Pappy often criticizes Henry for letting Laura have too much control, or for speaking too freely. He demands that she do chores for him, and feed him, just to prove that she has to obey his orders. Henry is a caring and dutiful husband, but he makes no secret of the fact that he expects Laura to perform her duties as his wife without investing any time or thought into what might make her happy as an individual. Laura is more open-minded than Henry, but resents the defiance shown to her by Florence, who will not compromise her morals or ethical obligations simply to make life more convenient for Laura.