the effect of society on james and lily's relatioship

[Ghuddie]

It was obvious from the book that the slave code and societal standards affected their relationship. They would have shown affection more openly if not for how society would have reacted to that.

[Kuchi Mercy]

Of course I think James and Lily's relationship was great affected by the slave code and society. The difference in societal value created a huge gap between them.

[Marisol Mendez]

I think that their relationship was highly effected by the slave code and society. If it wasn’t then there would be no reason for them to have to keep their relationship so secretive.

[Vidhi Adhikari]

The relationship between James and Lily is highly relatable for those living in conservative societies (like mine) that don't condone relationships out of wedlock. Had there been more acceptance, their relationship who have been portrayed a lot differently.

[OTrain D]

The society and environment around us do shape us and mould our behaviours. So yes, the society had an effect to their relationship because Lilly knew that they couldn't come out in public, and James also wielded his power and privilege at her, that Lilly didn't like at all.

[Rizki Pradana]

I think slave codes and society affect James and Lily's relationship because look at how James behaved to Lily in public, it was strained, even though I understand it was to keep James' position in public.

[T T 2]

It's pretty clear from their status in the book, their relationship was definitely affected by society. It was also a matter of their upbringing as James was born in an elite family opposite to that of lily so somewhere they had that hesitation and distance between them. That's why we were not able to see a full bloom romance.

[STabassum]

While the famous proverb goes that “Love knows no boundaries” yet it is also true that such proverbs fail in situations as grim as the era of slavery. In the book, the slave code definitely influenced the relationship of James and Lily irrespective of the depth of their emotions. The societal bondage overcame the barrage of emotions between the two.

[Bridgette C 2]

It's the slave code that affected James and Lily's relationship. I understand what they went through. Hiding such a relationship is difficult and James' capacity to confess his feelings is hindered by such slave code. Their relationship would cause outrage from the society and they would not be free to express their love.

[Marija Savic]

I am convinced that their relationship was influenced by the Slave Codes and the circumstances in society. Everything would have gone better and easier if it had been a different period. I guess they are both aware that their love can bring them huge problems with terrible consequences.

[Charlize Venter]

Society definitely was a massive effect on that relationship, the norms at the time were almost completely against interracial relationships.
The truth, my subjective truth at least, is simply that a true love transcends all; be it race, class, age, or whatever else. If it is meant and you find your person, the trouble is being brave enough to take that chance and surpass all those differences. And yes, I do realize these things are much easier said than done; many things in life are.

[Amenrodion]

I have always felt that relationships are affected by societal codes and I loved that this book faced that head on. It did not try to downplay how societal codes of slavery would be a burden on relationships between a slave and the slaveowner

[Stellah Chege]

It was absolutely affected since James had to act indifferent and unconcerned towards the woman he was madly in love with. He had to go miles from home before he could profess his undying love. At the end, it seemed like James chose his father and the society against his own love. It would have been different without the slave codes.

[Brenda Creech]

The slave codes and society definitely affected James's and Lilly's relationship. Interracial relationships back in their era weren't just frowned upon, they were forbidden!

[Oyedele Tomijane]

James and Lily's relationship was undoubtedly influenced by societal norms. A relationship between different social classes is difficult enough without including the fact that Lily was a slave and thus bound by the rigid slave codes. First, James's trauma when Lily was taken away from him when they were younger only made opening up about his feelings more difficult. Furthermore, the fact that their relationship had to be constantly hidden resulted in a strain on it.