As I mentioned in class, I was very upset with Linda for not taking advantage of some of Dr. Flint's offers; specifically his offer to free Linda's children. I understand Linda had zero reason to trust Dr. Flint, but something about turning down his offers so easily kind of irked me. I at least felt she should have explored the options as much as possible, or at least seriously try and find a way to lock Flint into his offer.
But after putting myself into the time period, I think I've had a change of heart. (Caution: this will be super cynical)
Although I'm sure Linda really did love her children, the attitude people had towards their children in the 19th century is much, MUCH different than the attitude of today. Children were seen much more (somewhat) as a necessity than they do today. There wasn't much of an idea of adolescence, and children were a means of help for the family. So after considering a lot of points like that, I think I can understand better why it was easier for Linda to make the decisions she did. Children weren't seen as fragile as are they today, and I think Linda really did view them as being able to hold their own, so to speak.
Or maybe I'm just crazy. I don't know.
I think the biggest reason Linda refused Dr. Flint's offers, even bigger than her inability to trust him, was to show her children the importance of will. Linda knows she has the smarts, the will, and the ability to be free and free her children in the process. Her children may not know the details now, but they will some day. Sometimes in destitute situations all you have is hope and will. A normal person's will will probably be down-trodden at this point, but not Linda's. She has something to prove.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Also we must take into accout that Linda may have been setting an example for her children, consciously or not. Aunt Martha was Linda's role model so rightfully Linda should be one for her children. Free will and choice is the only freedom slaves/Linda could control. That lesson Linda tries to teach to not only her children but anyone else aware of her situation. By holding fast in her iron will and her defiance of Dr. Flint, hopefully Linda's children will see her as an example and use that courage later on in their lives.
ReplyDeleteI agree. The way children were viewed and treated are very different, and because of that, I think before we judge her decision, we must take into account the lifestyle they lived. Things were more difficult for families to even stay together, let alone give them a childhood they deserved.
ReplyDeleteJoey makes a great point here. Linda expects her children to be strong and independent. Think about how she sends them away from her when she finally makes it to the North because she wants them to have opportunities, etc. It's a very different way of seeing children.
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