How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Over in the vacant lots was Jasper, young, coal-black, and of magnificent build, sitting on a wheelbarrow in the pelting sun—at work, supposably [sic], whereas he was in fact only preparing for it by taking an hour's rest before beginning. (2.13)
Objection! Some readers might oppose this depiction of Jasper asleep at the wheel (barrow) since it seems to perpetuate a popular stereotype of slaves as lazy and shiftless, which was damaging to the image of blacks even after the abolition of slavery.
Quote #2
From Roxy's manner of speech, a stranger would have expected her to be black, but she was not. Only one-sixteenth of her was black, and that sixteenth did not show [. . .] To all intents and purposes Roxy was as white as anybody, but the one-sixteenth of her which was black out-voted the other fifteen parts and made her a negro. She was a slave and salable as such. (2.13-14)
It seems a little unfair and nonsensical that fifteen parts could be outvoted by one. But, as the novel suggests, what about slavery was fair or sensible?
Quote #3
"[. . . ] I will not only sell all four of you, but I will sell you DOWN THE RIVER!"
It was the equivalent to condemning them to hell! (2.36)
Percy's threat to sell his slaves down the river suggests that there was no such thing as a carefree time for slaves in the antebellum South, contrary to what Gone with the Wind might have us believe. As a piece of property, even a slave living in relatively decent conditions could find himself in hell if his master decided to cash in.