Something short and sweet to think about...
Jacobs reminds her readers numerous times that slaves were the property of slaveholders. Slaves were seen as any other piece of property that a master or mistress could do whatever they wanted with because they owned that slave. However, Jacobs provides several examples of how slaveholders mistreated and abused their slaves, flogging them relentlessly if they tried to steal food or even putting a gun to their head if they tried to run away from the plantation. But if slaves were regarded as property, like any other cow or pig that the slaveholder owned, why then would they treat them in such a way? Would a master whip or beat a cow for wandering too far into the fields? Would they put a gun to the pig's head if they started nibbling on something they weren't supposed to? This just makes no sense to me. These slaveholders treated their "property" in such a desctructive way, without a care about whether the slave died or not. Even the most valuable slaves received the death penalty for behaving unaccordingly, no matter how good of a worker they were. It makes no sense that slaveholders wouldn't take care of something they "owned."
Hmmm, that's a very interesting thought Emily. I agree that it makes sense that people would take care of the things they "owned", but I think what we are overlooking is that this "property" was not necessarily valued property. These people were considered less-than, worthless, not even human. The rebellion that slave owners received from slaves (in the form of running away, hiding, or using the underground railroad etc.) actually showed that they were not typical property like a cow or pig. Yes, a pig might run away if it sees the barn gate was left open, but it wouldn't be because it had the intention of going and making a better life for itself. I think this is was evident to slave owners and that is why they would respond with cruelty or even death for their runaway slaves. Interestingly, I think it forced the owners to admit to the humanity of the slaves.
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