# XIX: Only Ignorance explained — Black Beauty

> Chapter companion for Black Beauty by Anna Sewell.

## What happens

Black Beauty is gravely ill and being treated by Mr. Bond. John Manly and Thomas Green discuss Joe Green's role in Beauty's illness, with John initially struggling to forgive Joe but eventually agreeing to speak kindly to him. John argues that ignorance is nearly as harmful as wickedness, using examples of Martha Mulwash, Bill Starkey, and the young ladies who damaged Tom's plants.

## Themes in this chapter

### Kindness and Empathy

John's internal struggle and eventual willingness to forgive Joe Green despite his anger.

### The Importance of a Good Character

John's speech emphasizes that ignorance, not just malice, can cause great harm, highlighting the need for knowledge and responsibility.

## Character check-ins

### Black Beauty

Narrator, gravely ill and recovering, overhears the conversation between John and Tom.

### John Manly

Cares for Black Beauty, struggles with anger toward Joe Green but agrees to forgive him.

### Joe Green

Mentioned as brokenhearted and blamed for Beauty's illness, though he acted out of ignorance.

### Thomas Green

Pleads with John to be kind to Joe, and discusses the damage caused by ignorance.

### Ginger

Moved to another stable so Beauty could rest quietly.

## Key lines

> Only ignorance! only ignorance! how can you talk about only ignorance? Don’t you know that it is the worst thing in the world, next to wickedness?—and which does the most mischief heaven only knows.

John exclaims that ignorance is almost as bad as wickedness, and it's impossible to say which causes more harm.

_John's central argument about the dangers of ignorance._

> I wish, John, you'd say a bit of a kind word to Joe. The boy is quite brokenhearted; he can't eat his meals, and he can't smile.

Tom Green asks John to offer Joe some comfort, as Joe is devastated and blames himself.

_Tom's plea for John to show compassion to Joe._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/black_beauty_se/chapters/part-i-xix-only-ignorance
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/black_beauty_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/black_beauty_se/chapters