Read the passage from Sugar Changed the World.

Question

Some of the enslaved took the next step. Running away from the sugar plantations, or attacking them in force, was another kind of statement. When the enslaved Africans could not stand their lives anymore, they risked everything to run or to fight. There was just one way for the owners to silence their workers: by making the price of flight or rebellion too high. Spreading terror was the job of the overseer.

How does the author’s use of the word silence affect the tone?

Silence has a negative connotation, indicating that the mill owners wanted a quiet workplace.
Silence has a positive connotation, indicating that quiet workers are productive workers.
Silence has a negative connotation, indicating that the owners would not tolerate protests.
Silence has a positive connotation, indicating that enslaved people took part in wordless protests.

Answer 1

The author’s use of the word "silence" affects the tone by suggesting that the owners would not tolerate protests. This aligns with the interpretation that "silence" has a negative connotation in this context, as it implies oppression and the suppression of voices and actions against the injustice faced by the enslaved people. The owners' desire to achieve silence through fear underscores the harsh and oppressive conditions of the enslaved, reinforcing a tone of resistance against tyranny. Therefore, the most accurate answer is:

Silence has a negative connotation, indicating that the owners would not tolerate protests.