Slave Codes

[SunVixen]

Did the Slave Codes in the book help you understand the time period better? I thought the inclusion of these codes helped me understand the treatment that the slaves endured better. They were the only way I could make sense of why anyone would treat another human being the way they did. The Codes helped them justify their actions. Do you agree? Or do you think they could have been left out of the book?

I don't know much about slavery in the United States. Nevertheless, I know a thing or two about slavery in the Roman Empire, slavery in the Russian Empire and in some other countries.

In theory, there was serfdom in Russia. However, serfs in Russia were in about the same bad plight as slaves in the United States. They could be bought and sold, raped and physically punished. The master could choose a future profession or a future spouse for his or her serf. Even in speech, the words "a serf" and "a slave" were used synonymously. Even the Russian emperor Alexander II, who finally abolished serfdom, was called “a slave liberator”. These codes have helped me draw some interesting parallels between slavery in the United States and Russia. Slavery in these countries existed at about the same time. Therefore, it was very interesting for me to read this book.

There is a Ukrainian TV series about a slave girl from the XIX century who played the piano very well. Ukraine at that time was part of the Russian Empire. Therefore, slavery existed on the territory of modern Ukraine. Playing the piano was a very unusual activity for slaves in Russian empire. Musical education was not available to them. Usually they didn't even know how to read or write. Poor slaves were so uneducated that they even believed that the Milky Way was accidentally created by Batu Khan. But this girl was very educated and knew how to play the piano, because her old female master was very kind and allowed her to study. Unfortunately, she had a very evil son of her own. When this girl was 17 years old, he began to sexually harass her. James from the book was just an angel compared to this pig . Soon slave girl’s kind master died. Her evil son's wife was a very jealous woman. She forced her husband to sell this too beautiful slave girl on the auction. Her new owner was just a sadist. However, I will not retell this TV series. It will be too off-top. However, there are interesting parallels here.

[Emmanuella C Arumeze]

I think the book could have done without it. Although it helped me understand how slave trades worked but was it really unnecessary.

[Precious_Nzeakor]

The very people that created the slavery system created codes to ensure that their actions were not questioned and the slaves remained subdued. I think we all understand this completely with or without the inclusion of the slave codes in the novel. However, as it helps shade light better on the challenges James and Lily had to go through being master and slave in the course of their romance, I do agree that including the slave code was needed.

[Huini Hellen]

Did the Slave Codes in the book help you understand the time period better? I thought the inclusion of these codes helped me understand the treatment that the slaves endured better. They were the only way I could make sense of why anyone would treat another human being the way they did. The Codes helped them justify their actions. Do you agree? Or do you think they could have been left out of the book?

I truly benefited from the inclusion of the slave codes in the book. Their strategic position at the beginning of every chapter further enabled me to comprehend the subsequent events that ensued in thise chapters. I, therefore, believe that their inclusion is a valuable asset to readers.

[Ana C Barrantes]

They definitely helped me understand the time period better. The inclusion of it made up for the lack of education regarding slavery in US. And helped non-Americans like myself understand the setting better. The slave codes do feel like a crutch or a way for people back then to have justified their means or to absolve themselves.

[Elisa Joy Ocasla]

This part went unnoticed by me. Well, I came to get it now since I reread some parts of the book with such code. I agree with you since we cannot fathom and grasp the centrality of this narrative without them. To this extent, the author did a brilliant idea that adds spice to this masterpiece.

[Kaitlyn Canedy]

The Slave Codes gave me an enlightened perspective about how slaves were treated. It is appalling to think Americans allowed the mistreatment of another human being years ago. I received a history lesson and a story in one book, which I enjoyed greatly.

[Jennifer Garcia 555]

I really liked the slave codes. Each one was shocking and really drew me into the time period. It was a strong reminder of how badly people treated each other. It made every part of the story more emotional.

[Rashi Agrawal]

I agree with you. I think the inclusion of slave codes were necessary in the book as it helped the readers in understanding the book in an easy manner. It helped me understand why would someone possibly torture others. Without the codes, it would have been difficult to go with the flow of the book.

[Francis Aderogbin]

The inclusion of slave codes is crucial to the understanding of the book. It helps me comprehend the time period and understand the punishments they made the slave pass through.

[TUSHAR_4041]

I personally like the books to be as detailed as possible. And the slave codes did a great job in doing that. The codes helped me understand the punishments.

[STabassum]

I completely agree with you. The slave codes will help readers assess the scenario of that period and also make them realise the gravity of the situation and the hapless conditions of slaves back then.

[Ann Ogochukwu]

The slave code was unarguably a very important aspect of this book. Besides giving an understanding of or justification for slavery, it gave the story more sense of reality. I often wondered if the mentioned provisions of the slave code were true or fictitious. And yes, the slave code helped me understand the period better.

[Laura Britos]

I definitely agree with you. In my opinion, I believe that this slave codes were crucial to the book. Not only did they help me understand the time period, but they also offered valuable knowledge on the slave history.

What you are pointing out is an excellent point. The book needs to have some sort of historical background in order to transport readers into that time period and of course, be accurate.

[Marisol Mendez]

Including the slave codes helped me gain a better understanding of that time. It gave me an idea of why slaves got treated the way they did. I can tell the author really thought things through by including these.