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Chapter 8: A New Master
Themes
and Colors
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Bondwoman’s Narrative, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
The Cruelties of Slavery
The Virtuous Woman’s Life
Religion and Hypocrisy
Race as a Social Construct
Enslavement as Gothic Horror
Summary
Analysis
Despite the misery of her condition, Hannah finds her spirits somewhat revived by the pleasant springtime scenes she and Mr. Saddler pass on their journey. Mr. Saddler attempts to be kind and friendly, passing the time in conversation (he finds Mr. Trappe off-putting and takes great pride in conducting his own business in what he considers an honorable way) and offering Hannah a slice of cake to eat. But when another wagon tries to pass them on the road, Mr. Saddler’s horse panics and breaks into a headlong run. Hannah can remember a little about the moment they crashed off the road, but not much.
Hannah’s sensitivity to the beauty of the natural world speaks to her faith in God to protect her but also to her character—she’s observant and she rarely allows herself to feel defeated. Mr. Saddler tries to put himself in a good light here, but readers would be wise to remember all that he’s just said to and in front of Hannah. He claims to be a more moral person that Mr. Trappe but he nevertheless forces women into sexual slavery. One of the evils of slavery the book explores is the ways in which it hollows out White enslavers’ sense of morality, and that’s on display here.
Active
Themes
Hannah recovers consciousness in a strange room. A White woman (later identified as Mrs. Henry) and her Black servants are taking care of her. Soon, Mrs. Henry breaks the bad news that Mr. Saddler—whom she takes to be Hannah’s friend or relative—died when the pair crashed into a ravine on the side of the road. Realizing that she could pass as White with this stranger, Hannah nevertheless confesses that she is Black and that Mr. Saddler was her enslaver. She counts it to Mrs. Henry’s credit that she continues to behave just as solicitously toward her injured guest.
The wagon accident that costs Mr. Saddler his life and frees Hannah (at least temporarily) reads as both an act of God—proving Hannah’s faith to be well founded—and as the kind of unexpected relief one might find in a gothic or sentimental novel, which generate drama by putting their protagonists through cycles of advantage and ruin. Again, the fact that Hannah could pass as White suggests the artificiality of the color line. The fact that she chooses not to demonstrates superhuman honesty.
Active
Themes
Mrs. Henry and enslaved workers take good care of Hannah while she recuperates. Hannah spends much of that time in deep, peaceful sleep and much of it in grateful prayers of thanksgiving to God for delivering her from the future of sexual slavery she faced in Mr. Saddler’s possession.
Active
Themes
Hannah is well enough to leave her bed on the night of a wedding between two enslaved people. It’s a night of feasting and merriment; not only have Mr. Henry and Mrs. Henry given their enslaved workers the night off to celebrate, but they provide food for the feast and Mr. Henry (a priest) officiates the ceremony. Hannah enjoys watching the celebrations, at least until she wonders what the future will hold for the bride (later identified as Charlotte) and groom (later identified as William). After all, how can they fully take on the vows and responsibilities of marriage when they don’t have autonomy or control over their own lives? As she thinks about all the bad things that might befall the pair, a storm rises up and ruins the formerly peaceful and balmy spring night.
Active
Themes
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