Black Beauty · Chapter
The Golden Rule explained
Jerry Barker is asked to take Dinah Brown, a poor woman with a newborn, to see her dying mother on a Sunday.
What happens
Jerry Barker is asked to take Dinah Brown, a poor woman with a newborn, to see her dying mother on a Sunday. Despite his initial reluctance due to the horses' fatigue and losing his day of rest, Polly persuades him by invoking the Golden Rule. Jerry borrows a light trap, takes Black Beauty on the journey, and allows the horse to graze in a meadow, making the day restorative for both.
Themes in this chapter
Kindness and Empathy
Polly and Jerry demonstrate the Golden Rule by helping Dinah Brown despite personal sacrifice, showing compassion for a neighbor in crisis.
Freedom vs. Confinement
Black Beauty experiences a rare moment of freedom in a meadow, contrasting with his usual urban cab work, and Jerry finds spiritual liberation in nature.
Characters to notice
- Black Beauty
Selected for the Sunday journey to Dinah Brown's mother; enjoys grazing and rolling in a meadow, a rare treat after leaving Earlshall.
- Jeremiah Barker
Initially hesitant to work on Sunday, but persuaded by Polly's appeal to the Golden Rule; borrows a light trap and finds spiritual renewal in nature.
- Polly Barker
Convinces Jerry to help Dinah Brown by invoking the Golden Rule; arranges the borrowed trap and prepares an early tea.
- Dolly Barker
Receives flowers from Jerry upon his return and jumps about for joy.
- Dinah Brown
A poor woman with a four-week-old baby who needs to visit her dying mother; Jerry agrees to take her.
Key passages
“we should do to other people as we should like they should do to us”
We should treat others the way we would want to be treated.
Polly invokes the Golden Rule to persuade Jerry to help Dinah Brown.
“I have not lost my Sunday after all, for the birds were singing hymns in every bush, and I joined in the service”
I didn't waste my Sunday because the birds sang hymns in every bush, and I joined in the worship.
Jerry finds spiritual fulfillment in nature despite working on Sunday.