How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
"We are now led by men from Virginia, I am told," [Madam] said, "land of my birth. I assure Your Honor that in Virginia, we do not tolerate the rebellion of slaves."
The judge nodded. "Once kindled, rebellion can spread like wildfire." (22.34-35)
The judge's statement here raises some questions about why the rules of this society are in place to begin with. Obviously, they're placed on slaves to keep them from rebelling and make them subordinate to their masters. But could he also be talking about the spread of the rebellion against the British? Don't forget—King George placed a ton of regulations on the colonists, too, and we all know how that turned out.
Quote #8
I thought of what she said and found a slim thread of hope to grasp hold of. "Begging pardon again, ma'am, but do I work for you now?"
[Lady Seymour] let the curtain fall. "I am afraid not. Anne insists that you be returned to her household as soon as you are able. The law supports her position, I fear, and in these unsettled times, there is little remedy." (24.31-32)
Once again, the law, in all its infinite wisdom, condemns Isabel to be sent back to work for a woman who broke a painting over her head, had her branded, and sold her sister out from under her. Isabel literally has no one on her side in this matter, not even the rules of a society that's allegedly seeking freedom.
Quote #9
[The pass] was signed with lots of fancy titles that belonged to the colonel and the commandant, and the King Himself. I wished that there would have been a space for Her Majesty, Queen Charlotte of Great Britain to sign it, too. She and me shared a birthday now, for I was reborn as Isabel Gardener and that paper proved it. (44.101)
In the end, Isabel chooses to use the law to her advantage. Because she has the rare skill of being able to read, she's able to fill out the pass required in order to be a free slave, taking the lead to free herself rather than wait for someone else to do it for her.