TOW #19: To My Old Master

     Over the course of United States history, the idea of slavery has been ingrained into everyone's minds through various social studies classes. Often times, an average student will be taught the terrors of slavery and the times when a master may let their slaves go. An aspect of this time period that could possibly be ignored is how an African-American may live their life once they are freed. In a letter entitled "To My Old Master," Jourdan Anderson, a former slave, writes to his old master after he requested that Anderson come back on his farm to work. Through the appeal to pathos and rather abrupt diction, Anderson is able to explain his position on his old master's request.
     Often times, children are not always thought of when the word "slave" comes to mind. Anderson makes the issue with his kids known as he uses the appeal to pathos. He states that "the children [felt] hurt" when people made remarks about them being "colored people" who used to be slaves. It may not seem as important or saddening if an adult gets made fun of because that was normal for that time. But for children, getting bullied can be absolutely devastating, especially because children are commonly the most innocent among people. Anderson explains that the kids are doing well otherwise. They are going to Sunday school, they are successful at their school, and they have a comfortable home. The only thing stopping them from truly succeeding in life is the burden they have of being a part of a used-to-be slave family.
     A surprising aspect of this letter is the balance between the well-written story but the forward attitude toward his own master. To end his letter, Anderson includes a person that he would like to thank "for taking the pistol from [his master] when [he] was shooting" at Anderson while he was leaving. This was a rather sharp ending that seemed odd in a way that Anderson would talk to his old master like that. That being said, this also proves how Anderson owns himself now and he does not wish to return to the farm. He does not wish to return back to the life that he was so happy to leave and he shows that through his tone.
    To conclude, I feel the purpose of this letter was really nothing more than just to communicate to his former master. This also goes with the audience on how he did not have anyone different in mind than his former master. I rather enjoyed this letter and the new perspective it has given me.