# I: My Early Home explained — Black Beauty

> Chapter companion for Black Beauty by Anna Sewell.

## What happens

Black Beauty recalls his early life in a pleasant meadow, living with his mother Duchess and other colts. His mother teaches him good manners and warns him against bad behavior. Their master is kind, and a plowboy named Dick is dismissed for tormenting the colts.

## Themes in this chapter

### Animal Welfare and Cruelty

The master protects the colts from the abusive plowboy Dick, showing concern for animal welfare.

### Kindness and Empathy

The master's gentle treatment of the horses and Duchess's loving advice highlight kindness and empathy.

### The Importance of a Good Character

Duchess teaches Black Beauty to be gentle, good, and never bite or kick, emphasizing good character.

## Character check-ins

### Black Beauty

Narrator and young colt, called Darkie by his master.

### Ginger

Not present in this chapter.

### Merrylegs

Not present in this chapter.

### John Manly

Not present in this chapter.

### James Howard

Not present in this chapter.

### Joe Green

Not present in this chapter.

## Key lines

> I have never forgotten my mother's advice; I knew she was a wise old horse, and our master thought a great deal of her.

Black Beauty always remembered his mother's wise counsel, which was respected by their master.

_Highlights the lasting impact of maternal guidance._

> Bad boy! ... to chase the colts. This is not the first time, nor the second, but it shall be the last.

The master scolds Dick for tormenting the colts and fires him for his repeated cruelty.

_Shows the master's zero tolerance for animal abuse._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/black_beauty_se/chapters/part-i-i-my-early-home
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/black_beauty_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/black_beauty_se/chapters