CELIA IN CLASS DISCUSSION

Describe the area of Calloway County, Missouri. What was the land like? What were the people like? Describe the economic and social life. What is Newsom’s position in that social and economic structure? How much land does he own? How many slaves does he own? (he “had invested in human chattel”) Describe Celia’s introduction to life as a slave of Robert Newsom. George said “he would have nothing more to do with her [Celia] if she did not quit the old man.” Why does he say this? Who is George? Why does he assume Celia has a choice? How does Celia kill Newsom? Describe the reaction of the press, the courts, and of the Newsom family to the killing. Interpret the quote on page 107, toward the beginning of Chapter Six: “At this point the defense’s arguments began to threaten the very foundations of the institution of slavery. Celia, the defense insisted, even though a slave, was entitled by law to use deadly force to protect her honor.” --illusion that slavery is good for slaves Interpret the quote on page 119: “Another generally held expectation within the society was that the slaveholder be responsible for and behave morally toward his human property.” If you had the opportunity to describe the meaning of the book to a friend, not what it is about but what it means, what would you say? In other words, the moral of this story is…