POST #3

The book that I read "A Mercy" was very good, although the wording was complex. Complex wording is just what Toni Morrison does. In this book, if I could change one thing it would be how Florens acted to the blacksmiths’ foundling. If she had not gotten in an altercation with the boy, maybe things would have turned out a lot different. Maybe if Florens had not assaulted the foundling her and the blacksmith could have stayed together. They could have feel in love, and had a baby that they raised together. She and the blacksmith could have lived a decent life, although the times for blacks were hard then. The blacksmith had it pretty good compared to most back then. Florens and the blacksmith could have even tried to escape from the colonies, because the time was before the revolutionary war.

They could have been back to the homeland. They could have even started a rebellious group around the colonies. They could have gone down in history as the 2 rebellious leaders, who led a population of slaves back home. If Florens had not assaulted the foundling, she could have started a family with the blacksmith. She could have died at an old age, with her true lover. Even if Jacob Vaark did not die, maybe Rebekka would not have felt she had the authority to start sending slaves away. If Jacob had not died, maybe the two homosexual slaves would not have felt comfortable showing their affection for one another. This story could have taken many routes. If Florens had not learned some English from the preacher, she would have not been the daring woman she was. She would have been clueless just like many other slaves were during those times. Back in those times, knowing how to read and write even a little could go a long way.  They could understand what was being said, and they could be capable of thinking for themselves. The story could have gone so many ways if Florens actually had the desire to escape.

In the book, she say's that she doesn't like the feeling of freedom, which is because she is surrounded by Jacob Vaark and his very harmonious plantation. If Florens knew what it was like to have to survive against her master, she would love the feeling of freedom. She feels at home with the Vaarks. Having restrictions and cruel punishment a daily basis would make a person want to be free. Florens had never experienced life without someone to care for her even though she is still a slave, which is bad, but the Vaarks still show compassion. She would not know what to do if she was out on the run or even just on her own. If she did like the feeling, she could have been dead by the end of the book. Maybe she could have gotten the entire plantation wiped out. Maybe she would have been transferred to another plantation, and reunited with her mother. All I know is a lot could have happened, and it was a very good book.