Journal 6

One's social class controls their actions and beliefs. A slave will have the heart of a slave and know no freedom but their masters wish. And on the other hand the free white male feel as if they can do as they please, as they are above control because they have control. Linda was a slave but didn't believe she was a slave. Her heart was free and didn't want to be constricted to the bindings of the classes. When she became finally free she rejoiced proclaiming "'The bill of sale!' Those words struck me like a blow". It made me think that a simple document simply can't make you free. It is what the heart tells you. I learned from previous studies that many slaves after they were freed stayed on their old masters plantation to continue to work. Many did because there wasn't any other work, but was that truly the case? Or was it they didn't know what to do? There lives have been based on their masters wishes. On the other hand, the free white slave owners had no control and free to do as they please. In the beginning of Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, the masters wife was loaned jewelry by Linda. Which is such a caring thing to do under the circumstances, but the wife never returned them. By no means she didn't have to, but it is a matter of principle and character. Showing how her status and class gives her that power and mindset. It's amazing how far we have come in society, moving on from such ignorant ideals.