# The Golden Rule explained — Black Beauty

> Chapter companion for Black Beauty by Anna Sewell.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/black_beauty_se/chapters/part-iii-xxxvii-the-golden-rule
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/black_beauty_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/black_beauty_se/chapters