Freedom at a Price

Linda wants her freedom badly. Dr. Flint’s daughter and her husband, Mr. Dodge, have come to take Linda back. She was never released from the daughter’s custody, so she is technically still property of Mrs. Flint Dodge. Linda and her daughter are sent away to avoid confrontation with Mr. Dodge. Mrs. Bruce hires a man to negotiate the freedom of Linda and her children. Mr. Dodge agrees to $300 for her freedom and her children’s. This angers Linda because she was sold like property. Even in New York, slavery still existed to her. A bill of sale was posted proving she had been sold. Linda did not hate Mrs. Bruce for buying her freedom, but yet she hated the Dodges for demanding a payment to release her. She loves her freedom, but yet she still has the feeling of being owned by someone.