# X: A Terrible Temptation explained — Father Henson’s Story of His Own Life

> Chapter companion for Father Henson’s Story of His Own Life by Josiah Henson.

## What happens

Josiah Henson, being transported down the Mississippi to be sold in New Orleans, descends into despair and fury, contemplating murdering his master Amos Riley and the other men on the boat. He raises an axe to strike but is stopped by the realization that he would be committing murder as a Christian. He abandons the plan, thanks God, and resolves to submit to God's will.

## Themes in this chapter

### Quest for Freedom

Josiah's desperate desire for freedom drives him to contemplate murder as a means of escape.

### Faith and Religion

Josiah's Christian faith ultimately prevents him from committing murder, leading him to resign himself to God's will.

### Dehumanization and Identity

Josiah describes himself becoming 'savage, morose, dangerous' as a result of his treatment, showing how slavery dehumanizes.

## Character check-ins

### Josiah Henson

Struggles with despair and homicidal rage; nearly murders Master Amos but is stopped by his Christian conscience.

### Amos Riley

Master Amos is the intended victim; he is asleep in the cabin when Josiah raises the axe.

### Isaac Riley

Mentioned as one of the masters who betrayed Josiah, contributing to his rage.

## Key lines

> I saw nothing but portents of woe and despair. Wretched slave-pens; a smell of stagnant waters; half-putrid carcasses of horses or oxen floating along, covered with turkey buzzards and swarms of green flies⁠—these are the images with which memory crowds my mind.

Josiah sees only misery and decay on the river: filthy slave pens, foul water, and rotting animal carcasses covered in buzzards and flies.

_Illustrates Josiah's despair and the grim reality of the slave trade._

> I resolved to kill my four companions, take what money there was in the boat, then to scuttle the craft, and escape to the North.

Josiah decides to murder the four men on the boat, steal their money, sink the boat, and flee north.

_Shows the extreme lengths Josiah considers to avoid being sold._

> What! commit murder ! and you a Christian?

Josiah's conscience asks him how he, a Christian, could commit murder.

_The turning point where his faith prevents him from killing._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se/chapters/x-a-terrible-temptation
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se/chapters