Wafflers. Posers. Flip-floppers. They go by many names, but at their core, they're all good old-fashioned hypocrites, people who claim to hold certain beliefs or ideals, but don't practice what they preach. As Chains (and most Presidential elections) shows, there's nothing like a serious political conflict to bring out the hypocrisy in pretty much everyone, and this was as much true in 1776 as it is today.
The main issue of hypocrisy here is this: How can the United States claim to seek independence and liberty for all when most of the all they're referring to are people who own slaves? Throughout her journey, Isabel confronts multiple versions of this question, and witnesses numerous responses from those who play a role in it.
Questions About Hypocrisy
- Who were the good guys and bad guys in the Revolutionary War? How might their views on slavery relate to their status as good or bad? How does our vantage point of two centuries affect our answers to this question?
- Is Lady Seymour a hypocrite? Why or why not?
- It seems really weird that a country seeking its freedom could still adamantly support slavery. What was the colonies' rationale for owning slaves? Do some research on this topic and try to understand the reasons why the early Americans held these views.
- Imagine that you are Colonel Regan and Isabel comes to you for help after Ruth is sold. How would you handle the situation?
Chew on This
Characters like Bellingham and Colonel Regan, who accept Isabel's help and then cast her aside, aren't trying to be cruel to her. They're genuinely doing what they believe is right in light of the role slavery plays in their society.
The hypocrisy of both the Patriots and Loyalists ultimately moves Isabel to seek her own freedom.