This quote is referring to Tom Weylin. Dana makes this observation after Rufus tells her that he would not whip her for something Rufus told her to do. In the antebellum south it is important to remember that Dana not a superior to Rufus. She is expected to obey and be submissive to Rufus orders. Dana later does not agree with the generalization of Rufus’s father but realizes in the context of the antebellum south Tom Weylin could be a worse man. She also realizes that he is practicing what society said “were legal and proper.” This quote is important because we must decide after several instances whether Tom is an awful person or could be worse.
In my opinion I do not believe Rufus’s father is not that bad. He whips the slaves as a punishment
In my opinion I do not believe Rufus’s father is not that bad. He whips the slaves as a punishment