Black Beauty · Chapter
A Humbug explained
Black Beauty describes his new groom, Alfred Smirk, a lazy and conceited man who neglects proper stable care, leading to unhealthy conditions and thrush in Beauty's feet.
What happens
Black Beauty describes his new groom, Alfred Smirk, a lazy and conceited man who neglects proper stable care, leading to unhealthy conditions and thrush in Beauty's feet. Despite Mr. Barry's attempts to address the issues, Smirk's deceit and ignorance cause Beauty's health to decline, resulting in his sale.
Themes in this chapter
Animal Welfare and Cruelty
Alfred Smirk's neglect—dirty stables, lack of exercise, and improper feeding—causes Beauty's thrush and suffering, highlighting cruelty through inaction.
Fashion vs. Reason
Smirk prioritizes his own appearance and superficial grooming of Beauty over genuine care, embodying the conflict between style and sensible husbandry.
Characters to notice
- Black Beauty
Narrates the chapter; suffers from neglect and thrush due to poor stable conditions.
- Alfred Smirk
The new groom; lazy, conceited, and neglectful, causing Beauty's health issues.
- Mr. Barry
Beauty's master; deceived by Smirk, eventually decides to give up keeping a horse.
Key passages
“He was very civil to me, and never used me ill; in fact, he did a great deal of stroking and patting when his master was there to see it.”
He treated me kindly only when the master was watching, but otherwise neglected me.
Highlights Smirk's deceitful nature and performative kindness.
“He never even gave me a meal of green food or a bran mash, which would have cooled me, for he was altogether as ignorant as he was conceited; and then, instead of exercise or change of food, I had to take horse balls and draughts; which, beside the nuisance of having them poured down my throat, used to make me feel ill and uncomfortable.”
He never fed me properly to keep me healthy, and instead gave me unpleasant medicines that made me feel worse.
Illustrates Smirk's ignorance and the harmful consequences of his neglect.