These quotes highlight the disturbing reality of slavery and the impact it has on both the enslaved individuals and those who witness the atrocities. The first quote emphasizes the brutal acts of cruelty that were unfortunately common on plantations, painting a grim picture of the inhumane treatment slaves endured. The second quote suggests that witnessing such cruelty would evoke a sense of horror in those who did not partake in the institution of slavery, indicating a recognition of the moral wrongness of the practice.
The third quote acknowledges the material comforts that a slaveholder may provide for their slaves, but it also implies that this is not enough to justify the inhumane treatment they endure. Lastly, the fourth quote suggests that even slaveholders may harbor a sense of shame or guilt for their actions, indicating a vague understanding of the ethical implications of their participation in the system of slavery. Overall, these quotes serve to highlight the complexities and moral dilemmas surrounding the institution of slavery.
“those outbreaks of atrocious cruelty so commonly enacted upon the plantation.”
“will shock the humanity of his nonslaveholding neighbors”
“He is much better fed and clothed”
“There is a vestige of decency, a sense of shame”
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