The Benevolent Master

The Benevolent Master

I.

The black identity during the nineteenth century in America was one based on a position of inferiority. The inferiority of slaves to their masters was expressed in several different ways, but all were designed to secure a dependent relationship of the slave to the master. Masters often viewed their slaves as deserving of a moral or religious upbringing, and saw themselves as responsible for completing this task. Paternalism transformed the relationship of slave and master into one of child and parent. In such cases the slave may have been spared the abuse of a cruel master, but suffered no less subordination. A benevolent master created a comfortable environment for slaves, ultimately producing complacent, submissive slaves. This injustice is articulated in,Black Women in Nineteenth Century American Life, "servitude was likely to foster dependence rather than psychological poise. A spirit of independence on the plantation...was a hazard rather than a virtue." (8) Unable to earn their own wages, slaves were forced to depend on their masters for food and shelter, but a kind master often imposed a greater emotional attachment. This tendency was widespread, and as seen in a variety of texts hindered the pursuit of freedom.

II.

Harriet Beecher Stowe in Uncle Tom's Cabin does not openly embrace the belief of black inferiority, but nonetheless, denies many of her black characters with a psychological independence from their masters. In order to make sense of this seemingly contradictory sentiment it is necessary to examine how Stowe subordinates the African-American characters in her novel. By representing the slaves in the novel as childlike and naive, Stowe does not allow for strength or authori...

... middle of paper ...

...lieve such stories, and think it is not worth while to exchange slavery for such a hard kind of freedom. It is difficult to persuade such that freedom could make them useful men, and enable them to protect their wives and children. If those heathens in our Christian land had as much teaching as some Hindoos, they would think otherwise. They would know that liberty is more valuable than life. They would begin to understand their own capabilities, and exert themselves to become men and women. (43)

This concept of "usefulness" is crucial in the development of an identity as a worthwhile member of society. The benevolent master causes ambiguity in the slave master relationship and furthermore, suppresses individuality in the slave by making him or her dependent upon the former. The tyrannical slave holder incites the desire for escape, allowing for decisive action.