A Slave Among Slaves explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Overcoming Adversity and Poverty

  Washington describes the harsh conditions of slavery, including wearing flax shirts and wooden shoes, and the lack of proper meals, highlighting the adversity he overcame.

• Race Relations and Compromise

  Washington discusses the lack of bitterness toward Southern whites and the complex, often sympathetic relationships between slaves and their masters during the war.

• Dignity of Labor

  He contrasts the slaves' mastery of handicrafts and willingness to work with the white masters' disdain for manual labor, emphasizing the dignity found in labor.

Characters to notice

• Booker T. Washington

  The author and narrator, reflecting on his childhood as a slave and his early experiences.

• John Hatcher

  Booker's older brother who generously wore a new flax shirt to break it in for him.

• John S. Lincoln

  Mentioned as the president whose success was prayed for by Booker's mother.

Key passages

• “I have never entertained any spirit of bitterness against the Southern white people on account of the enslavement of my race.”

  Washington states that he has never felt bitterness toward Southern whites for slavery.

  Sets the tone of reconciliation and lack of resentment.

• “When freedom came, the slaves were almost as well fitted to begin life anew as the master, except in the matter of book-learning and ownership of property.”

  At emancipation, slaves were nearly as prepared as their former masters to start fresh, lacking only formal education and property.

  Highlights the practical skills slaves had gained despite slavery.

• “I can scarcely imagine any torture, except, perhaps, the pulling of a tooth, that is equal to that caused by putting on a new flax shirt for the first time.”

  Wearing a new flax shirt was extremely painful, comparable to having a tooth pulled.

  Illustrates the physical hardships of slave life.

• “During the Civil War one of my young masters was killed, and two were severely wounded. I recall the feeling of sorrow which existed among the slaves when they heard of the death of 'Mars' Billy.'”

  Slaves genuinely mourned the death of a young master and showed sympathy for wounded masters.

  Demonstrates the complex emotional bonds between slaves and their owners.

• “I remember that at one time I saw two of my young mistresses and some lady visitors eating ginger-cakes, in the yard. At that time those cakes seemed to me to be absolutely the most tempting and desirable things that I had ever seen; and I then and there resolved that, if I ever got free, the height of my ambition would be reached if I could get to the point where I could secure and eat ginger-cakes in the way that I saw those ladies doing.”

  Seeing white ladies eat ginger-cakes inspired young Booker to dream of freedom so he could enjoy such treats.

  Shows a child's simple yet powerful aspiration for freedom and equality.