Emma thinks Townsend's initial refusal to get involved makes him a supporter of slavery. Do you agree?
Created: 05/17/18
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Do I believe Emma thinks his initial refusal to get involved makes him pro slavery, yes, I agree that she did believe that. But she didn't understand. First of all, she believed he supported slavery because he was a blockade runner...but there was a valid reason for that -- otherwise he would have been put to death. Secondly, he was stunned when Savage proposed he become a spy. ("His head was spinning.") He had no desire to become a spy and hesitated at first. She was willful and wanted/expected him to jump on board without a second thought.
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Townsend's ideas about slavery were naive until he was confronted with the reality of it, until he realized his own family was complicit. He saw it in all its ugliness. I think his growing knowledge based on his experience is really the major theme of the novel. Do others agree?
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First of all, I keep getting back to the fact that Townsend was only 19. It seems crazy that he was so you and so much was placed on his plate. Emma should have known that just because Townsend didn't want to get involved did not mean he was a supporter of slavery, most people do not get involved, especially when they are already in a compromised situation, never mind had just gotten out of jail, etc. her character seemed to jump to all kinds of conclusions, and she was not the best listener!
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