Reading and Writing

One of the things that the white people in this book really hate about Dana is the fact that she knows how to read and write better than many of them can. Tom Weylin is especially resentful toward her education because he's worried that educated black people will eventually realize that they have the power to throw off their shackles. That's why he's always quick to say things like, "Didn't I tell you I didn't want you reading!" (3.8.87) when he catches Dana with a book in her hands. He even gives her a brutal whipping when he catches her with a book in the cookhouse. Dana is just lucky that Tom doesn't realize she was actually teaching other black slaves to read and write. As she reminds us, "I hoped Nigel had the sense to get the pencil off the table" (3.8.88). She and Tom both know that educating black slaves is a sure-fire way to give them a sense of independence.