Master Character Analysis

Hitherto I had not contemplated my Master’s picture; for all my thoughts had been with the dead, but now I looked for it, where it hung solitary, and thought how soon it would have a companion like the others, and what a new aspect would thereby be given to the apartment. But was it prophecy, or presentiment, or why was it that this idea was attended to my mind with something painful? That it seemed the first scene in some fearful tragedy; the foreboding of some great calamity; a curse of destiny that no circumstances could avert or soften. And why was it that as I mused the portrait of my master […] seemed to change from its usually kind and placid expression to one of wrath and gloom, that the calm brow should become wrinkled with passion, the lips turgid with malevolence—yet thus it was.

Though filled with superstitious awe I was in no haste to leave the room; for there surrounded by mysterious associations I seemed suddenly to have grown old, to have entered a new world of thoughts, and feelings and sentiments. I was not a slave with these pictured memorials of the past. They could not enforce drudgery, or condemn me on account of my color to a life of servitude. As their companion I could think and speculate. In their presence my mind seemed to run riotous and exult in its freedom as a rational being, and one destined for something higher and better than this world can afford.

One day contrary to his usual custom he requested the pleasure of seeing me in his room. Trembling with apprehension I ascended the staircase, passed through the hall, and stood before him. He was seated at a low table, upon which lay a great pile of books and papers that he seemed particularly interested in examining—so much indeed as […] not to notice my presence. This gave me an opportunity to look around his apartment. Its chief furniture was books and piles of papers. There were books on the floor, books in the corners, and books heaped up and piled up in an antique cupboard. Some of them seemed to have been recently used, but on others the dust had thickly accumulated. I touched one of them; it fell with a rattling sound, still he did not look round, and I began to construe his silence into studied neglect.

[“]You must fly from this house, from this place, from this country, fly immediately—to[-]night—or stay. I have a better plan. My master as yet knows nothing of it. Mr Trappe is gone you can go away in open daylight and in your carriage giving out that you design to visit a relative.[”]

My mistress was delighted with the plan. Her first thought was to escape from the horrible doom impending over her, and she eagerly grasped the least shadow of hope. She thanked me, she kissed me, and for the first time she wept over me.

[“]And you will go with me? [”] she inquired.

“I will, my dear mistress.”

[“]Call me mistress no longer. Henceforth you shall be to me as a very dear sister” she said embracing me again. “Oh: to be free, to be free.”

Of course the family residence was stocked with slaves of a higher and nobler order than those belonging to the fields. They were better dressed, better provided for and better looking. It was necessary that those surrounding the person of the Mistress should have nothing offensive or disgusting about them. It was necessary, not for him but her, that the coachmen should be cleanly and well kept, that the cook should be neat, with well washed hands and a snowy apron, and that all her attendants should well understand their part and preserve appearances. Yet I thought they exhibited little pleasure on the return of their master and mistress. [… There] was no hardy demonstrations of delight, but merely a cold formal welcome scarcely removed from positive indifference or something worse.