Brown makes sure readers know how horrible it is to espouse American democracy and Christianity to the masses while simultaneously trafficking in the sale of human beings. The book is so preachy and sentimental (almost excessively) about why white slave owners, the president (Thomas Jefferson), and others were indeed flawed, horrible people.

The novel also introduces us to the myth of the tragic mulattas and how their lives are vastly different than other slaves. [Spoiler ahead]: The women in this novel either seek and find death instead of being a part of slavery's hypocritical system.

I had forgotten so much about the book, but the reread showed me how much Christianity and religion are still used as weapons to control others in society. The hypocrisy of the church is so despicable it is a shame that Black people put any trust into God to begin with.

I think it is imperative for scholars of African American literature to teach these texts to the Gen Z generation and it is a good way to introduce readers to the policies, laws, and mandates that shaped the South and its unyielding hate.