Monday, March 28, 2011
Blog post #4 for Emily
I noticed in the chapter 'Trials of Girlhood', that Linda says that she treated Dr. Flint's filthy, degrading comments in her ear with contempt and indifference, and that he put up with her reactions toward them out of fear that Linda's grandmother would receive word of what was going on. Is Dr. Flint afraid of her grandmother? Is her grandmother's power as a free black woman, however uninfluencial it is, any reason for him to be careful with his conduct toward Linda? I guess, I'll attempt to answer my own questions. I think Dr. Flint could have been afraid that his reputation for corrupting young slave girls' minds would be revealed if Lindas grandmother found out. She was well-known in town for her freedom and good living as a black woman. She may have been able to turn people against him if she found out that Linda was being sexually abused. But then again, wasn't she Dr. Flint's property? What good would that do?
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Linda's grandmother was well known and respected in the community. Also, Linda tells that her grandmother had a terrible temper and once chased a white man with a knife for talking bad about one of her own daughters. Apparently when she lost her temper, she was quite formidable.
ReplyDeleteEmily,
ReplyDeleteIn the book, Linda says that he is afraid of her grandmother. The people of the community loved and respected her grandmother....black, slave, or free. He was afraid of his reputation, yes. She also mentions that the grandmother actually attacked a white man who had insulted her daughter. I think he was physically afraid of her, also. You don't want to anger a momma grizzly! That is what he was afraid of doing!