A Mercy by Toni Morrison is set in the complex and tumultuous time period of 17th century America. Early colonial America was at a critical period of racial tension after Bacon’s Rebellion, that caused a decisive shift from a separation and identification of Americans based on class to that of one based in race. This change especially affected indentured servants. Willard Bond, one of the indentured servants in A Mercy’s, personal story of servitude along with descriptions of his beliefs illustrate the unique situation of indentured servants and their changing mindset during that time of dramatic social change.
Willard, like many indentured servants of the time, was being taken advantage of through the use of new, targeted laws. After Bacon’s Rebellion, measures were put in effect to “keep servants …show more content…
In indentured servitude, freedom could be obtained after a certain period of service or after repaying the debt. Willard is unsure of the details of his servitude as ”he had not seen it and could not cipher it if he had”(Morrison, 67). Willard’s illiteracy makes the duration of his service unclear to him and gives complete power to his master for when and if he will ever receive his freedom. What Willard does know is that after his service he will receive a “freedom fee… equalling twenty-five pounds (or was it ten?)” (Morrison, 181), or does he? Morrison’s addition of the parenthetical clause shows to the reader that Willard is even unclear on the fee that he is set to receive when, and if, he ever gains his freedom. This inclusion of Willard's confusion about his fee demonstrates a further lack of knowledge about the requirements of his indenture and because of this Willard’s master has full control over his. This is another way in which indentured servants would be kept in service for much
Willard, like many indentured servants of the time, was being taken advantage of through the use of new, targeted laws. After Bacon’s Rebellion, measures were put in effect to “keep servants …show more content…
In indentured servitude, freedom could be obtained after a certain period of service or after repaying the debt. Willard is unsure of the details of his servitude as ”he had not seen it and could not cipher it if he had”(Morrison, 67). Willard’s illiteracy makes the duration of his service unclear to him and gives complete power to his master for when and if he will ever receive his freedom. What Willard does know is that after his service he will receive a “freedom fee… equalling twenty-five pounds (or was it ten?)” (Morrison, 181), or does he? Morrison’s addition of the parenthetical clause shows to the reader that Willard is even unclear on the fee that he is set to receive when, and if, he ever gains his freedom. This inclusion of Willard's confusion about his fee demonstrates a further lack of knowledge about the requirements of his indenture and because of this Willard’s master has full control over his. This is another way in which indentured servants would be kept in service for much