* Black Beauty: The titular character, a young, strong, and intelligent black horse born on a beautiful estate in England. He is raised with love and care by his mother, who teaches him about the world and the importance of being kind.
* The Family: Black Beauty is born into a wealthy family who treats their horses well. We meet the kind farmer, his wife, and their daughter, who all have a loving relationship with their horses.
* The Setting: The novel is set in rural England in the late 19th century. We see the beauty of the countryside and the horse's life on the estate.
* Black Beauty's Early Life: The exposition focuses on Black Beauty's early years, his training, and his first experiences with different riders and situations.
* The Introduction of Important Themes: The exposition introduces several key themes that will drive the story, including:
* Animal Welfare: The reader sees the difference between kind and cruel treatment of horses and how their well-being is affected.
* The Importance of Kindness: Black Beauty learns from his mother and others about the importance of treating all beings with kindness.
* The Bonds Between Humans and Animals: The exposition establishes a strong bond between Black Beauty and his human companions, setting the stage for their future relationship.
The exposition ends when Black Beauty is sold to a stranger, leaving the beautiful estate and the loving family that raised him. This event sets in motion the main plot of the novel, where Black Beauty will experience many different situations and learn about the world, good and bad.