We see this very clearly with William Ford’s interaction with Solomon. Solomon proposes and to use rafts to transport lumber through the swamps, and Ford is impressed with this idea and admits as much to Solomon. As mentioned above, Ford later protects Solomon from Tibaut as well. Yet when Solomon tells Ford that he is a free born man and he was abducted, Ford replies “I cannot hear that.” Ford has a debt to settle and needs Solomon as security for that debt. This scene is the climax of Ford’s dichotomy. He is protecting Solomon and treating him kindly. He has treated Solomon’s wounds and saved his life. What we perceive as the height of his humanity, is then quickly transitioned to the height of his inhumanity. His refusal to hear Solomon’s
