Chapter 4, The Slave who Dared to Feel Like a Man Summary and Analysis

Linda's youngest uncle, Benjamin, has an independent and rebellious spirit which makes him particularly bitter about his life as a slave. Her brother, William, is still only twelve years old, but appears to be following in his uncle's footsteps.

William and Benjamin appear to derive their courage from an inner sense of self-worth—a deeply-rooted belief in their own rights as human beings that has been beaten down in most slaves. Their unusual self-assurance may be largely due to the influence of their mother/grandmother, Aunt Marthy, and of William's father, whose relative freedom has enabled them to view themselves as valid human beings rather than as chattel.

Dr. and Mrs. Flint evidently see signs of this same quality in Linda, because...