I find myself trapped in my mind when I overthink situations. I become obsessed with trying to find a solution that pleases my parents, my friends, my parents, my teachers, society, etc. It is not until I separate myself from the group that I choose to do what I think is best. Similarly, Sarah’s mind is trapped by what society and her mother’s expectations are. She struggles to discover what she wants because she is constantly worried about others around her. In this way, Sarah is trapped in mental slavery just as Handful is trapped in physical slavery. I admire Handful’s character because she only remains in physical enslavement, and she keeps her mind open and free from oppression. Despite how many times the missus scolds her, Handful preserves her own beliefs and never submits her mind to the missus. Maybe I admire Handful because I admire women with strong personalities and firm beliefs. But I also admire Handful because she doesn’t want to become an insider, a slave who never rebels and allows the master to control their mind as well as body. Handful accepts that she is a slave, an outsider to white society, and does not what she can to still remain free in her mind. On the other hand, Sarah has the power and opportunity to break away from being an insider of society, yet she stays in her own bubble. She fears of being an outsider and, therefore, remains trapped in the ideas set by the majority.
Inspiration: “She was trapped same as me, but she was trapped by her mind, by the minds of the people round her, not by the law." (200)
Inspiration: “She was trapped same as me, but she was trapped by her mind, by the minds of the people round her, not by the law." (200)