I have to admit this story took me by surprise. Right up
until the end I really thought that Grandison was a naïve slave who just wanted
to get back to the plantation. I believe he took the entire Owens family by
surprise too. Dick drove me crazy throughout the entire story with his ignorant
and selfish ways. The only reason Dick wanted to free Grandison was to impress
a girl...He didn’t really care about Grandison’s well-being…“if she knew how he
was working, and under what difficulties, to accomplish something serious for
her sake, she would no longer keep him in suspense, but overwhelm him with love
and admiration.” (p 647) He was practically willing to get Grandison killed for
the cause. He said it himself: (though I don’t think he truly meant it) “I do
not deserve to be an American citizen; I ought not to have the advantages I possess
over you”. Dick
had no idea he was truly helping Grandison plan an escape, which
goes to show how lazy and stupid he really was.
I really wonder how long Grandison had the whole thing
planned? It made me really happy at the end when Grandison and the colonel
could see each other as Grandison and his family rode away. “The colonel saw
Grandison point him out to one of the crew of the vessel, who waved his hand
derisively toward the colonel. The latter shook his fist impotently –and the
incident was closed.” Ironic for the colonel but completely organized on
Grandison’s part. Ha!
I definitely agree with you when you say this whole story took you by surprise! I' m pretty sure this surprised every reader of this story. I was pretty much positive that Grandison was a brainwashed slave who truly "enjoyed" being enslaved to the Owen's. I was beginning to think his way of thinking was terrible and unfortunate but the twist at the end definitely proved me wrong. I also agree with you view on Dick. He was such a shallow character, especially when he is only thinking of himself on his trip up North to "free" Grandison (as you stated). I really enjoyed this story and the way the author set everything up
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