The Pox Party 309-353 "The Perspective of Color"

The Pox Party 309-353

The Perspective of Color

Throughout this final section of Octavian Nothing, the theme of Freedom was most apparent. Mr. Gitney and Mr. Sharpe’s idea of freedom is in the idea of economic freedom. They believe to be truly free one must be able to go about his business unimpeded by government and respect private property. This leads to their support of the revolutionary army that respects slave ownership. Thus Gitney and Sharpe do not believe African slaves to be men, but private property. However, why are they classified as private property when they share the same physical characteristics such as a beating heart, and a learning brain. The hypocritical teaching to Octavian by Mr. Gitney on page 316 further supports the unfairness in the classification of the slaves as property. Mr. Gitney teaches Octavian that color is only the perception of the brain and not a physical characteristic. However, Octavian is still classified as black and his masters are white.

During Octavian’s final interview, Mr. Sharpe explains that if blacks were free society would collapse, and that living under slavery was for the greater good. However, the freeing of slaves would destroy the economic ability of men like Mr. Sharpe and Mr. Gitney. In turn, one can relate to their support of the rebels as not directly supporting the pursuit of freedom, but keeping their status quo of economic freedom in their business model that is under threat of change due to the abolition of slavery in Britain.

Dr. Trefusis further un-clouds the hypocrisy of the idea of freedom the early revolutionaries were fighting for by explaining why Octavian would be hung when caught. Octavian’s retaliation is no different from the colonies rebellion against the crown. Why is one considered treason and the other a necessary act against the interference of tyrants? "It is all an illusion of the eye, and event in the perceiver's mind, not in the object" (316)

      
Andrew Stefanick