Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Chapter 41 "Free At Last" (Or as I like to call it, "FINALLY!")

In this chapter, we find out that Linda receives letters from her grandmother informing her that Dr. Flint is finally dead (YAY!!). However, Linda is still not 100% relieved since she knows that the rest of the Flint family will want to reach her. When Linda finds out that Mr. and Mrs. Dodge are coming to New York, Linda is fearful and goes to Mrs. Bruce. Mrs. Bruce helps Linda by buying her freedom for $300 (YAY, again..!). Linda's grandmother is happy that she is free but dies shortly after the good news. Uncle Phillip has passed away also. Linda lives with Mrs. Bruce and tries to find happiness in life again.

Chapter 40 "The Fugitive Slave Law"

In this chapter, William's business is falling apart so he decides to move to California with Benny. Ellen does pretty well in her school and is kept safe when her teachers find out that she is a daughter of a runaway slave.  Linda finds out about the Fugitive Slave Law. It is a law that makes it illegal for any Northerners to help out a runaway slave. Linda meets Luke who was a runaway slave and finds out that Dr. Flint is still looking for her. When Mr. Bruce re-marries, Linda confesses to the new Mrs. Bruce that she is a fugitive slave. Upon hearing this, Mrs. Bruce sends Linda to New England where she can stay with a senator's wife. Linda stays in New England for a month until she returns to New York, again. The corrupting power of slavery is shown in this chapter when the Fugitive Slave Law comes into action. Northerners cannot help runaway slaves and they will be fined for it or even worse. This means that fugitive slaves have a more than likely chance of being captured.

Chapter 39: "The Confession"

During her two year stay in Boston, Linda's brother, William, offers to send Ella to boarding school. Linda hesitates but then agrees since she believes that it would benefit Ella. Before she leaves, Linda confesses to Ella who her father was. However, Linda is surprised to find out that Ella already knew who it was. Linda spends a year with Quaker abolitionists named Amy and Isaac Post. They worked at the Underground Railroad and Linda feels so safe with them and cherishes her time being with them since she will return to the real world soon.

Chapter 38: "Renewed Invitations to Go South"

When Linda returns from her visit to Boston, she finds out that her son, Benny, has left on a voyage so that he can escape the abuse of the people around him since they found out that he is not white but he is colored. She is heartbroken and devastated but tries to find the bright side of things. Another highlight when she comes back is that Mrs. Dodge, who was little Emily Flint, sends her a letter inviting Linda to go join her and her husband in Norfolk, Virginia (another slave state). Linda does not respond back to the letter and cannot believe that Dr. Flint is still looking for her after all these years. The corrupting power of slavery is shown in this chapter since Ben is still treated as if he were a slave since the people around him are abusing him because they found out that he was colored.

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Chapter 37: "A Visit to England"

In this chapter, Mrs. Bruce dies and Linda is devastated. Now, Mr. Bruce takes Linda to England with his daughter, Mary, so that she can see some relatives. Linda, Mr. Bruce, and Mary arrive in Liverpool. Linda feels great in England because for once in her life, she is not treated as if she was a slave and as if she was lower than them. She compares the English life to the American life and finds that there are a significant amount of differences. Although they were also treated unfairly, Linda believe that life as an English slave is better than that of an American's. Linda stays in England for a good ten months since she is genuinely happy there.

Chapter 36: "The Hairbreadth Escape"

In this following chapter, Linda finds out that Mr. Thorpe (Mrs. Hobbs' brother) contacted Dr. Flint and told him where Linda was hiding. Linda confesses to Mrs. Bruce about her being a fugitive slave, and Mrs. Bruce contacts her attorney. He helps Linda go to Boston with Ellen and William. When they arrive to their destination Ellen finally sees Benny, her brother, and the family lives there with Linda's friend. Linda teaches Ellen how to read and write since she never got the chance to learn. The corrupting power of slavery is shown in this chapter when Mr. Thorpe sends a letter to Dr. Flint telling him where Linda was. It wasn't fair since he had no right to tell Dr. Flint that she was in hiding and her whereabouts. She was living a seemingly happy life until that happened and she has to run away again. At least she ran away to Boston and her family can reunite with Benny again.

Chapter 35: "Prejudice Against Color"

In this chapter, Linda goes on a vacation with Mrs. Bruce to Albany since she is taking care of Mary. Since Albany is farther North, Linda experiences some extreme prejudice. A waiter refuses to serve her, she can't sit with Mary on her lap, and the servants won't even bring food for her to eat. Linda also travels to Brooklyn to see Ellen who warns her not to visit Mrs. Hobbs' because her brother is visiting from the South. After her encounter with many people who are prejudice against her even though they had the same skin color, she refused to be treated that way and stood up for her rights. In this case, it worked for her and she got her respect.