Solomon Burch Character Analysis

The treatment Solomon receives varies as he is sold from one master to another. The slaveholder’s own beliefs reflects how they will treat their slaves. Most of the masters Solomon encounters are brutal and merciless. The first master that Solomon comes across is Burch. Burch, a slave trader, is heartless, wicked and shows no sympathy. He values money and is willing to take any measure to gain profit. Burch knew that if anyone found out that he captured a free man, he would lose his job and would be sent to jail. When Solomon claims he is free, Burch viciously beat him. He does not care about his slaves and only cares about making money off them. His values, therefore, are reflected in how he treats his slaves. Solomon’s next master, Freeman, acts in similar manner to Burch. …show more content…
William Ford, Solomons third master, makes an offer to buy a few of Freeman’s slaves requesting to purchase Solomon, Harry, and Eliza. Eliza, however, is outraged and refuses to be separated from her daughter. Ford, feeling sorry for Eliza, agrees to buy the daughter as well. But Freeman, having no heart, refuses his offer. He knows that he can make a lot of money off Eliza’s daughter if he waits until she is older. Freeman’s obsession with money has blinded him from sympathy and compassion. Unlike Freeman and Burch, Ford feels sympathetic towards his slaves. For this reason, Solomon highly respects Ford because he provides the slaves with the same respect he gives to the white community. Ford allows his slaves to take breaks and rest whenever they need and also provides them with plenty of food and shelter. Many of the slaveholders in the south are cruel and show no concern for their slaves. Similar Freeman and Burch, slaveholders are only concerned about economic issues and crop